2022 Draft: Will the Buffalo Sabres trade up, down, or stay put?

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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 13: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres skates the puck against Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on February 13, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Why the Buffalo Sabres should trade down

Here is what Kevyn Adams had to say on his plans for the Buffalo Sabres on draft day:

"“I’d still say if right now, that’s probably where I’m very comfortable with [keeping the picks], but we’re also going to make sure that we’re having all those conversations. We’re going to do whatever we feel is the best possible thing for our organization, puts us in the best position moving forward, both short and long term. So, that’s what we balance. ” … But I also look at it as such a critical opportunity for our organization to move forward and build. That’s why it’s such an exciting time.” – via NHL.com – Sabres weighing options with three first-round picks at 2022 NHL Draft by Heather Engel."

Adams also spoke about having what he called “extra assets” in the first round at sixteen and twenty-eight. Such assets will further help the team fill potential holes at the NHL and AHL levels as the decade wears on.

To put his team in the best position to fill those holes, trading out of the ninth spot and piling even more picks makes sense. Player movement is the norm in today’s game, and it is clear Adams wants to use the draft to replace anyone he cannot re-sign to a long-term deal.

With three picks evenly spread throughout the first round, this scenario is highly unlikely. But if Adams wants even more picks this year, it is one that he will consider. Even if it is a BIG IF.

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