In a move that can be best described as ECHL defenseman for ECHL defenseman the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning made a trade late Sunday. Buffalo acquired Matt Spencer in exchange for Devante Stephens from Tampa. Stephens is a left handed defenseman, Spencer is right handed.
This wasn’t the block buster trade that fans had been waiting for.
A depth move and fresh start for both players. This was the third season for Devante Stephens in the organization and with the defensive depth he hasn’t been on the radar. Matt Spencer has played 53 American League games with the Syracuse Crunch. Both players are playing in their final years of their entry level contracts.
Following the announcement Spencer was assigned to Cincinatti.
Below is the official press release.
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November 24, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SABRES ACQUIRE SPENCER FROM TAMPA BAY
(Rochester, NY) – The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenseman Matthew Spencer from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Devante Stephens. Spencer has been assigned to the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL).
Spencer, 22, has registered seven points (1+6) in 53 career American Hockey League games with the Syracuse Crunch, including one assist in two appearances this season. A native of Guelph, Ontario, Spencer has also skated in 53 career ECHL contests with Adirondack and Orlando, adding 18 points on four goals and 14 assists.
Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-2, 206-pound blueliner played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League for the Peterborough Petes, where he amassed 98 points (19+79) in 251 games.
Spencer was a second-round pick (44th overall) of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 NHL Draft.
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