Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Lost, or maybe overlooked in the giddy, "feel good" mood around the Buffalo Sabres - especially after Sunday's dramatic 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning - is when will Logan Stanley, Luke Schenn and Tanner Pearson get to make their debut with the team.
The "Winnipeg Three" - acquired ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline - have yet to play or practice with their new team.
It's not that they don't want to - just the opposite - all three want to play for the Sabres. Rather, it is a legal issue.
Players traded from a Canadian team to a U.S. team must have a proper U.S. work visa approved before they can practice or play. The approval can take anywhere from a couple of days to as long as 14 business days.
"If there are no issues, it shouldn't take too long," said Jamie Fiegel, partner with Fiegel, Carr & Joyce - a Buffalo immigration law firm. "It doesn't appear there are any."
In an email to WBEN, the Sabres said "there aren't any issues with the Winnipeg players."
"It is standard practice that it days a few days to get work visas," the Sabres' email continued. "No issues, just waiting on the processing."
Fiegel pointed out the three players were traded late on a Friday afternoon, and the government is only just starting the review process.
"It does take time," Fiegel said.
All three were born in Canada - Stanley is a Waterloo, Ontario native, while Schenn was born in Saskatchewan and Pearson in Kitchner, Ontario
Back when Chris Tanev was traded to the Dallas Stars from the Calgary Flames, it took him one week to gain the necessary work visa.
The Sabres, optimistically, hope the "Winnipeg Three" can get the necessary work visa by Tuesday's game against the San Jose Sharks or by Thursday's contest against the Washington Capitals - or, at the latest by Saturday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.