Should the Buffalo Sabres make a move for Alex DeBrincat?

It is no secret that virtually everyone is on the trading block in Chicago. And the Buffalo Sabres could join the party in the Alex DeBrincat sweepstakes. 

The trade rumors for Alex DeBrincat are heating up and the Buffalo Sabres need to at least take notice. While many fans want to see the team hold onto their three draft picks, what is the point on taking a chance on an unproven prospect when guys like DeBrincat have both proven themselves and are still in their mid-twenties?

Hey, if the Sabres were still rebuilding from the ground up, I’d say there’s no way they should make an offer here. But the truth is, they should IF they believe Victor Olofsson won’t be back. Someone needs to fill that role, and an established player who is a potential upgrade should get the first dibs here.

Enter DeBrincat, who set a career high with 78 points (41 goals) on what was a porous Chicago Blackhawks team. You also can’t deny the 5’7, 165lb winger’s defensive prowess given his 101 hits and 67 takeaways. Fact of the matter: There isn’t a single Buffalo Sabre with DeBrincat’s  productivity. 

What would the Buffalo Sabres need to give up for Alex DeBrincat?

While I’m a proponent for building a team through the draft, I am also 110 percent for pulling off a blockbuster trade when a team has a potential missing puzzle piece. And since the Blackhawks are in complete rebuilding mode, trading away the 16th pick, the 28th pick, mid-round picks in next season’s draft, plus a few prospects for DeBrincat is something Kevyn Adams should not hesitate to consider.

But like I said, it really depends on how they feel about Olofsson. So don’t take this article as though I’m endorsing a blockbuster trade here. Olofsson has built chemistry with the Sabres, DeBrincat has none, obviously.

And while DeBrincat is a young, proven commodity, given his lack of chemistry with anyone on the ice in Buffalo, the question remains: Would he be able to repeat his success here? 

Hey, Vegas thought they were getting a ringer with Jack Eichel, and so far, they’re zero for one. Bringing in DeBrincat could work against the Sabres in the same fashion.

In short, if signs point to the Sabres re-signing Olofsson, forget this potential trade exists. But if Olofsson and the Sabres are looking to part ways, DeBrincat makes for a potential replacement on one of the top scoring lines.

Yeah, he will cost a ransom. But if Kevyn Adams believes the Sabres can contend next season, he needs to bring in every player that can help out the cause. DeBrincat is one of those players.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)