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Buffalo Sabres: Returning defensemen could raise trade value

By Sion Fawkes

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 17: Colin Miller #33, Brett Murray #57 and Victor Olofsson #71 of the Buffalo Sabres talk during the third period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 17: Colin Miller #33, Brett Murray #57 and Victor Olofsson #71 of the Buffalo Sabres talk during the third period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres may be catching a huge break at the right time with three returning defensemen.

Defenseman Henri Jokiharju practiced in his normal spot on Wednesday alongside All-Star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. That said, the Buffalo Sabres may find a sense of normalcy among the first pairing. Something they missed since losing Jokiharju to a lower-body injury.

But it doesn’t end with Jokiharju. Colin Miller and Will Butcher, both of whom had drawn interest from teams across the NHL also returned to the ice. While the Sabres have no plans to move Jokiharju barring something unforeseen, they could rotate Miller and Butcher onto their third pairing to grant them exposure.

Buffalo Sabres returning defensemen could raise their trade value

With the NHL Trade Deadline so close, this will be a tight window. But it’s not impossible. It takes just a couple of decent showings to draw interest from some of the league’s top contending teams. Teams that are willing to give up a lot as compensation if it means even the slightest chance at hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Of course, Robert Hagg and Mark Pysyk have also drawn interest. Hagg would provide a physical presence to a contender looking for one while Pysyk handled the puck well this season and is on pace to threaten a career-high in blocks. He’s also logging more ice time now than he has the previous two seasons.

Before going down with an upper-body injury, Miller was on-pace for a 31-point season, his most since 2017-18 when he was a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. Miller was also on-pace to set a career-high in blocks.

Butcher is the primary concern. His role diminished throughout his NHL career. And while he had his moments as a member of the Sabres, he has not lived up to the contract he initially signed as a member of the New Jersey Devils. While the Sabres need to shop him, it will be tough to find a willing trade partner. Perhaps it’s best to get him back out onto the ice as soon as they can.

The Sabres continue their homestand on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. And on March 13th, they face off with the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario. Perhaps Butcher and Miller will be active for one of the two outings.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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