Buffalo Sabres GM linked to three major upgrades as draft nears

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Josh Tupper
June 18, 2024 (11:59)

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The Buffalo Sabres are among the teams searching for goaltending assistance on the trade market, and three goaltenders, including a well-known player, have previously been connected to them by an insider.

As we approach the NHL Entry Draft on June 28 and 29, as well as the start of free agency on Canada Day, David Pagnotta provided his top 25 trade candidates in an article on The Fourth Period's website on Monday.

Pagnotta has connected the Buffalo Sabres to three players who are likely to be dealt by their respective clubs this summer: Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild, John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, and Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins.

Let's start with Linus Ullmark, who played six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres after being selected in the 2012 draft. In the last two seasons, he and Jeremy Swayman have likely established the best goaltending combination in the NHL. However, all good things come to an end, and the Bruins will need to commit to a starting goaltender for the upcoming campaign. Swayman is expected to stay with the Bruins, but Don Sweeney may trade for Ullmark in the upcoming weeks.

"Ullmark prefers to ride out the final year of his contract in Boston, but the Bruins are weighing their options and will continue to conduct trade talks with interested teams. Ullmark has some say in where he may end up, and teams that tried to get him during the season are circling back.

TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:

Los Angeles, New Jersey, Ottawa, Buffalo"

The Buffalo Sabres could make an interesting addition with Filip Gustavsson. Less than two years after being selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016 NHL Draft, the 26-year-old was traded to the Ottawa Senators. In Ottawa, Gustavsson was never able to establish himself in the crease and was traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2022.

Since joining the Wild two seasons ago, Gustavsson has found himself serving as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup. Since Jesper Wallstedt is expected to be Minnesota's goaltender of the future, there isn't much chance that he will start for the team. As David Pagnotta pointed out, the Wild have declared Gustavsson available for trade, so it will be fascinating to see if any suitors step forward in the coming weeks.

"Minnesota has made Gustavsson available for trade in a heavy goalie-heavy trade market. The Wild aren't desperate to move him, but given the marketplace and his attractive cap hit, they could work out a move in and around the NHL Draft.

TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:

New Jersey, Carolina, Buffalo, Los Angeles"

The Buffalo Sabres have linked up with veteran netminder John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks as their third and final goaltender. With good reason, Gibson's name seems to have been well-known for a few years now. He wants to win now, even though the Ducks are still rebuilding. This past season, especially at the IIHF World Championship, Lukas Dostal's rise to prominence has rendered Gibson more disposable than he has ever been.

Gibson, 30, has three years left on his deal, which has a modified no-trade provision and a cap hit of $6.4 million. Pagnotta has also connected Gibson to the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils in addition to the Sabres.

"Here we go, again. Gibson's name is out there for another trade deadline, but that doesn't mean he'll get moved. He has some no-trade protection with a 10-team no-trade list, and three more years left on his contract.

TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:

New Jersey, Carolina, Buffalo"

All three of the names liked to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday are intriguing options, but we'll have to wait and see if any of them end up in the Queen City this fall.

Source: The Fourth Period
SUMMER TRADE WATCH 2024 TOP 25