Report: Sabres 'aggressively pursuing' trade for Evander Kane

The Buffalo Sabres appear willing to make a play for Evander Kane prior to the NHL's March 2 trade deadline. 

The Winnipeg Jets are believed to be making Kane available after a series of unfortunate incidents in recent weeks, and the Sabres are reportedly pushing for a deal to be made sooner than later, despite the forward being out four-to-six months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Hockey insider Bob McKenzie used Twitter on Wednesday to reiterate a report shared on TSN's Insider Trading the night before.

(Buffalo) pushing hard to entice (Winnipeg) into trading Evander Kane now as opposed to later (summer). BUF has assets to work with: 1st-rd picks (Islanders and Blues); prospects such as Joel Armia, rental wingers Chris Stewart / Drew Stafford, PLUS ... If BUF opts to put Tyler Myers into the equation, it will get very interesting for WPG. Anyway, BUF is aggressively pursuing.

Darren Dreger of TSN added: "Deal is not done, but heating up."

The Sabres, sitting 30th in the league and in the midst of a rebuild, can afford to acquire a player who will contribute in the long term, if not right away. Unlike other potential Kane suitors, they have the luxury of not having to worry about giving up assets that might help for the remainder of the season.

Kane, a 30-goal scorer, will be 24 when the 2015-16 season begins, and certainly has the kind of talent all teams covet, alleged behavior issues notwithstanding.