Top 3 Buffalo Sabres trade deadline candidates, ranked

BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 14: Robert Hagg #8 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck as Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens pursues during the third period at KeyBank Center on October 14, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 14: Robert Hagg #8 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck as Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens pursues during the third period at KeyBank Center on October 14, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
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Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 22: Robert Hagg #8 of the Buffalo Sabres during the game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center on October 22, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

Robert Hagg

The Sabres acquired Robert Hagg in the Rasmus Ristolainen trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Unfortunately, Hagg has not lived up to expectations consistently. He has had moments where he provided a physical presence for the Sabres.

But with just 86 hits in 45 games among other underwhelming statistics, he has underperformed. His lack of a physical presence is even more alarming considering he has logged more ice time this season since 2017-18.

Hagg is also, even at just 26, one of the team’s older defensemen. Along with Will Butcher, Mark Pysyk, and Colin Miller, teams have inquired Kevyn Adams about Hagg’s availability.

And since he’s young and still has a lot of hockey left ahead of him, it’s possible the Sabres can get some fair compensation in return. Either a mid-round pick or a few prospects to plug into the AHL. Hagg isn’t a bad player. He just hasn’t gotten it done in Buffalo.

Projected Return: Mid-round pick, prospects.