Buffalo Sabres finally willing to go all in, willing to move huge trade chip

PUBLICATION

Josh Tupper
June 6, 2024 (2:01 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Buffalo Sabres are apparently willing to trade with a valuable asset in order to acquire some assistance, as they need to improve significantly in the upcoming season.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman stated on The Jeff Marek Show that he has heard the Buffalo Sabres are open to giving up their first round pick, which is the 11th overall selection, in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

According to Friedman, the Sabres front management, under the direction of general manager Kevyn Adams, is aware that the 2024�25 season will either make or break the team as they haven't made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 13 seasons.

"There's a lot of talk around Buffalo, I think the Sabres front office knows that next year is a make-or-break year for them and that can force you into things" Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show on Wednesday.

The Buffalo Sabres, which include Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Dylan Cozens, JJ Peterka, and Bowen Byram, undoubtedly have a strong core. An improvement between the pipes looks improbable because the team is also established between the pipes with Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukonen.

With Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram leading the way, the Sabres have a solid bunch on the blue line. However, they may need to add another top-four defenceman through trade or when the free agent market begins on July 1.

Regarding their forward group, the Sabres could try adding someone to their starting lineup. The Sabres had five players, including four forwards, reach the 20-goal mark or more in the previous campaign. The addition of a second player with the ability to score 20 or even 30 goals might help the Sabres compete for an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.

On his broadcast on Wednesday, Jeff Marek speculated whether the Sabres and Martin Necas of the Hurricanes might make a good trade partner, but he doesn't think they'll have what Carolina is looking for.

"I would've normally wondered about a team like the Buffalo Sabres, eventually Buffalo has to turn a lot of the prospects and draft capital into something here, they have a lot of it, but I don't think any of that works for the Carolina Hurricanes" Marek said.

As we approach the draft in a few weeks, it's going to be interesting to keep an eye on this situation with the Buffalo Sabres and their 11th overall pick. They don't appear to be the only team willing to move their first round pick as New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said recently that the 10th overall pick is on the table.

Source: Blade of Steel
Buffalo Sabres willing to trade one of their most valuable trade chips