NHL Draft Week: What Sabres fans can expect over the next few days

NHL Draft week kicks off tonight, as does an eventful timeframe for the Buffalo Sabres. The team is navigating the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft this evening while preparing for the league draft only two days later, on Friday, July 23rd.

This timeframe also comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise. With the first overall pick, a franchise cornerstone in captain Jack Eichel surrounded by trade rumors, as well as important personnel decisions made on which player to protect and leave unprotected from selection by the Kraken- The Sabres front office has had their work cut out for them.

With that, here are some things fans can keep an eye out for during the NHL Draft week…

Trades

Jack Eichel, the second overall pick in the 2015 draft behind only Connor McDavid, has been the team’s primary cornerstone and building block until this offseason has presented a bit of an impasse. This has led to an uncertain future amidst reports that teams like the Wild and Rangers may be making offers for the center.

Though, if these reports are accurate, even if the team would consider trading the former high pick- He’s not alone. The team has been getting inquiries on Sam Reinhart since last year’s trade deadline, and it’s being reported that GM Kevyn Adams is looking to move Rasmus Ristolainen for a first-round pick and a prospect and the Jets and Canadiens have both expressed interest. With a collection of picks already in tow, the team could also package assets to move up, taking a quality over quantity approach in its selections.

Adams has looked to make proactive and aggressive moves to improve the team in the past year, don’t be surprised if that approach translates into trading up for more high-round picks in and impact players.