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 goalie Craig Anderson
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 01: Craig Anderson #41 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 1, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Craig Anderson

Twilight is upon me and soon, night will fall.” Those were the words of former Jedi Grand Master Yoda in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. 

And at 40, twilight has fallen upon goaltender Craig Anderson‘s storied career. And let’s assume Anderson would love to spend his 41st birthday contending for a Stanley Cup, even as a backup goaltender, instead of watching the NHL playoffs on his big-screen television.

So expect the Sabres to try and move Anderson, perhaps to a team like the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s rumored the Knights are hunting for a goalie, and Anderson can unite with Jack Eichel out in the desert.

At this point in his career, Anderson is nothing more than a quarter-season rental. But he’s proven this season, even through struggles, he can still hold his own in spot duty. No longer an every game starter, the Sabres can at least give Anderson a chance to end his career by hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Projected Return: Defenseman Nicolas Hague. In this trade, the Sabres may also ship a defensemen to the desert with Anderson.