Although the Sabres aren’t quite where they were expecting to be at this time of the year, General Manager Kevyn Adams and company will likely go into this deadline with the “conservative buyer” label. The team since the New Year is 14-10-0 and good for a .583 pts %. As fine as that all is, the Sabres still find themselves 10 points out of a playoff spot, and times ticking.
Adams has stated that he is interested in making the team better now, and that will likely come at cost of a few prospects in the Sabres deep prospect pool. Adams has reportedly been linked to Kaapo Kakko, Scott Laughton, Noah Hanifin, Boone Jenner, and recently traded Chris Tanev. With all that said, the time is now for Adams to turn that interest into a completion of a trade. Here is a mock deadline that I put together for what a Sabres deadline could look like if they were to really make a push to make the team better.
Trade One:
Seattle Kraken Receive:
- Victor Olofsson
Buffalo Sabres Receive:
- 2024 6th Round Pick
Why it makes sense for Seattle: The Kraken currently sit nine points out of a playoff spot and it has been a very disappointing year for a team that made it all the way to the Western Conference semi finals last season. The Kraken have been disastrous offensively this season averaging 2.72 GF/G which is good for 28th in the league. Olofsson who is one year removed from 28 goals last season, would benefit from a change of scenery, and could help bring a scoring touch to a struggling Kraken squad. Lastly, Jason Botterill drafted Olofsson back in 2018, and is now the Assistant General Manager in Seattle, so the connection is there.
Why it makes sense for Buffalo: The Sabres flat out have no room for Olofsson. He’s struggled to get into the lineup, playing only 35 games, and when he has played, he hasn’t been great. Olofsson was reportedly on the block back in the offseason, but the Sabres couldn’t find a taker they were comfortable with. This will lead to a very limited return, which will likely be a mid-late round pick. In this mock trade the Sabres would be very comfortable getting a 6th in return for the 28 year old.
Trade Two:
Boston Bruins Receive:
- Zemgus Girgensons
- Erik Johnson
- Isak Rosen
- 2024 2nd RD Pick
Buffalo Sabres Receive:
- Brandon Carlo
- Jakub Lauko
Why it makes sense for Boston: The Bruins have been on a absolute tear the last two seasons, but would like to have a different postseason this time around after getting bounced out in the first round last year. Erik Johnson would be a perfect RHD veteran fit with Stanley Cup experience on a team like Boston, packaged in with Girgensons who the Bruins are interested in . Johnson who certainly hasn’t had a great season by any means, could certainly benefit on a more structured third pair in Boston. Isak Rosen and the 2nd could also be sensible for a team like Boston that lacks a prospect pool and was recently ranked 30th in prospect pool by Scott Wheeler.
Why it makes sense for Buffalo: The Sabres would be getting a legitimate top four right handed defenseman to pair with Owen Power or Rasmus Dahlin. Carlo has averaged 20 minutes of ice time with Boston in his eight year career with Boston, paired with plenty of playoff experience. Carlo isn’t one to contribute much offensively, but he is excellent in his own zone shown by his underlyings shown below. The tricky part about this trade is that Carlo would have to move his no trade clause, which could be very difficult, but has been done before. His contract is in effect until the 26-27 season. As for Lauko, he is a younger Zemgus Girgensons. He has slightly more offensive upside, traded in for a decrease in defensive ability. His contract expires after next season.
Trade Three:
Philadelphia Flyers Receive:
- Peyton Krebs
- 2025 3rd Round Pick
Buffalo Sabres Receive:
- Scott Laughton
- 2024 6th Round Pick
Why this makes sense for Philly: The Flyers are a intriguing team to say the least. A team that isn’t supposed to be good, that’s found themselves right at the edge of the playoff line at the trade deadline, and is likely a slight seller. Scott Laughton is certainly a name that has been thrown around and very well could be traded. The Flyers in return would get a young center from the Sabres that has recently regained confidence, still has a decent ceiling, but has just kind of fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. On top of that some nice draft capital for a Flyers team that is going through a mini rebuild.
Why it makes sense for the Sabres: The Sabres have had interest in Laughton for a while now, and there certainly reasons why. Laughton comes with a contract at that would hover around 3M AAV for the next two seasons. Laughton would provide a solid .5 pt/game in the middle six while also providing a level of physicality and grittiness the Sabres have been criticized for missing. He would instantly be a upgrade in the middle/bottom six, and make the team better. Of the three trades I have laid out, I believe this one is the most realistic and likely to happen.
As deadline day approaches, this is arguably the most important deadline the Adams administration has had. The team needs to get better, and support from management is a must. Adams appears to understand the task at hand, but can he get the deals done is the question. The trade deadline officially concludes at 3 pm on March 8th.
One Response
If I had to predict what the Buffalo Sabres do by Friday’s trade deadline, unfortunately, I expect them to be just sellers.
Kyle Ockposo, Erik Johnson, Victor Oloffson and Zemgus Girgensons—of this group, I predict Olofsson, Johnson and Girgensons will get moved. Not much else.
As much as I hope Buffalo could get players who can seriously help this team now, and excite the fan base going into next season and beyond, the truth is the Buffalo Sabres have a very tough time making meaningful trades that can help the team become rising contenders.
Trades or at least impactful ones don’t come often for Buffalo compared to teams like Boston, NY Rangers, Toronto and Dallas. Trades along with the July 1st free agency period seem less of an option for GM Kevyn Adams. Kyle Clifton has a chance to pan out as a free agent for Buffalo but this has been the rare exception. Free agency for the past decade has been mostly brutal to Buffalo.
It still seems Adams can mostly only utilize one of the three tools to build the Buffalo Sabres—drafting. It’s the most important tool but he’s limited in trades and free agency compared to other GMs. Players make much more and more have greater power to say no to being traded and have their preferences in free agency.
In the NHL, trades and free agency is like the bar scene. Teams like Boston, NY and Toronto will get picked up easily. Trade partners (other teams) come to them and buy them a drink if you will and a trade is made. The Buffalo Sabres are at the bar drinking a beer or soda but are usually ignored and not even noticed. Strange analogy but this seems very true.
I think the trade period in the league is too long. Some GMs rather wait for the summer to pull the trigger and then after, wait it out to the trade deadline the following season. It could be as many as nine months between trades. It’s maddening GMs wait so long and allow their team’s season to go down in flames.
I propose the trade period start after the Stanley Cup is won and ends on the eve of the regular season opener for the following new season. Then that’s it! Teams are now stuck with what they have. The short time frame will force GMs into action. What about injuries etc? I say that’s the chance you have to take. It’s a just punishment for the GMs who sit and wait for too long and don’t help their team when they are crying and begging for it.
MarcusC.