(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
As the NHL’s March 7, 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams will again have difficult decisions to make.
For what was a “win now” season, according to Adams, sees the team sit 29th in the league. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the organization was close to multiple trades this season, but management never pulled the trigger. It was reported on March 3 that it could be a quiet deadline for the Sabres, so let’s look at a realistic mock trade deadline.
Utah Receives: Dylan Cozens, Lukas Rousek, and a 2025 3rd-Round Pick
Buffalo Receives: Barrett Hayton, Maveric Lamoureux
According to Freidman, Dylan Cozens has nearly been traded several times this season. The statistical falloff after a 68-point year in 2022 has led to Cozens’s name popping up in numerous trade rumors. In this trade, it would be highlighted by the Sabres sending the 2019 7th overall pick to Utah in exchange for the 2018 5th overall pick, Barrett Hayton, and the 2022 29th overall pick, Maveric Lamoureux.
Hayton, who took a while to blossom in the league, has 34 points in 61 games this season and has another year left on his contract making $2.65M.
As for Lamoureux, he is the fascinating part of the deal. The 21-year-old right-shot defenseman sits at 6’6 and has a unique pair of tools. Lamoureux is a smooth skater as he ranks in the 58th percentile in top skating speed, tallied a 99 mph shot this season, and recorded 1.2 hits per game. The issue with the Quebec native is the amount of penalties he takes along with his health. Lamoureux had 11 minor penalties in 15 NHL games and is just returning from an upper-body injury he suffered back in November.
NYR Recieve: Henri Jokiharju
Buffalo Receives: 2025 4th-Round Pick (Originally ANA)
It has recently been widely reported that Kevyn Adams and management are trying to trade Henri Jokiharju. The 25-year-old Fin has been held out of the lineup the last two games, however, it is unclear if it is trade-related.
After a strong showing in the Four Nations Tournament along with scoring two goals and having a +3 rating in his last three games, Jokiharju has played well as of late.
With Jokiharju’s contract expiring this summer, he could be a perfect rotational right-shot defenseman for a Rangers team trying to make the playoffs.
As the deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see if management makes any moves. From all indications, Adams has always been in on major trades, but often it never crosses the finish line. Will this be the year? Time will only tell.