Buffalo Sabres: Don’t expect a trade for these 3 players
Trade rumors are running wild for the Buffalo Sabres and all 32 NHL teams
There are plenty of players, especially four defensemen, that the Buffalo Sabres are fielding inquiries for. And while the Sabres will sell come the trade deadline, they won’t sell off everyone.
In fact, the Sabres would be smart to hold onto a few potential trade chips that could serve the team’s lower lines well. The following players either provide sound depth or they specialize in a specific area of the game that grants value to the team.
Therefore, it’s tough to see the Sabres moving them. It’s also possible to see each of the following players in royal blue and gold at least through next season. Although from a contract standpoint, they may need to settle for a reduced deal.
So who can you expect to see remain a Sabre at least through the rest of the season? Here are three players.
Victor Olofsson
Olofsson signed a two-year deal worth $6.1 million in 2020 and has not lived up to the billing. However, he’s also not exactly been a bust either. He’s had his moments, including a couple of two-goal outings this season and as I write this, logged three goals in the past five games.
He also boasts outstanding puck control, something he improved each year since 2019-20. Right now, the Sabres need to stick with Olofsson to see if he’s worth keeping around in the future.
If he can gain some consistency to his currently splashy game, expect him to return in 2022-23 and help out the Sabres on the lower lines. But if his scoring grows in consistency as it has over the past five games, it shouldn’t surprise you to see Olofsson find a spot on the second line.
An unproven product, odds are you won’t see many takers for Olofsson. And for the Sabres, that’s a good thing.
Dustin Tokarski
Tokarski spent most of his career bouncing around the league as a backup goaltender. In 2021-22, he found himself in a timeshare with Craig Anderson. And while Tokarski has yet to put up stellar numbers in his career, he’s a serviceable backup who could take on the role for the next few seasons in Buffalo.
That said, it’s likely that, if the Sabres move a goalie, they will move the 40-year-old Anderson. Anderson is likely playing in his final NHL season, and he would become a remarkable backup for a contender as his career wanes.
Tokarski provides potential long-term service for the Sabres. Plus, keeping him around won’t break the bank. If the Sabres don’t go after a backup goalie in the offseason, they should re-sign him for at least two more seasons. At the very least, he will keep the seat warm for some upcoming goaltenders from the AHL and the college ranks.
Cody Eakin
While it makes sense to shop Eakin to a contender since he’s in the final year of his $4.5 million contract, it also makes sense to consider keeping him around for the future. That’s if he’s okay with taking a pay cut to stay with the Sabres.
Eakin is no better than a fourth-liner and his 11 points in 54 games shows he’s not a contributor. However, there is no one better on the team than setting things up for the scoring lines, given Eakin’s puck control and knack for winning face-offs.
The ultimate role player, the Sabres would do well not to part ways with Eakin until they find another capable of taking his place. Players like Eakin don’t produce eye-popping numbers. They’re also among the least-known players on the ice. But, it’s players like Eakin that help you win games.
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Realistically, the Sabres can trade all of the above, especially if they don’t want to face the decision to re-sign Olofsson or Eakin. But each player provides enough value in their own right to continue donning the blue and gold.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)