Buffalo Sabres made a huge mistake not trading these players
By Sion Fawkes
Craig Anderson
Even at 40, Anderson has had a solid season. No, his .904 save percentage is nothing to glance twice at. But his 11-9 record is giving him, at least to date, his first winning season (minimum 20 games started) since 2016-17.
Anderson is not a starting goaltender for a championship contender. However, he remains a solid backup option for those contending teams. Anderson has shown the ability to make spot starts and highlight reel saves multiple times this season, further proving his worth.
He still provides value and leadership in the NHL. And odds are, a contender would have paid more than just a sixth-round pick to acquire his services. The compensation could have granted the Sabres another draft pick or two, or perhaps another prospect to throw onto their AHL lines.
Trading Anderson also would have given the Sabres an opportunity to see what they had in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The 23-year-old who excelled in a few starts with the Sabres earlier this season has since toiled away in Rochester. And calling him up for the remainder of the year would have allowed the Sabres to better evaluate the goaltender.