Buffalo Sabres: 3 unspectacular trades that make sense
Right-winger Victor Olofsson is the only prime candidate on the roster who would realistically bring in something big for the Buffalo Sabres.
While Victor Olofsson could bring in some immediate value, odds are he is staying in Buffalo as a bridge player in a worst-case scenario. In their article entitled GM for the day, Die by the Blade’s Austin outlined two trade scenarios that make a lot of sense for Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to pursue.
The following trades are not blockbuster ones, so you should expect modest returns at best if Adams pulls them off. They may not even benefit the Sabres this season but instead, in years to come.
One trade will send a small-time veteran out of town while the second two will bring in some value that involve two of the team’s prospects. So which solid yet unspectacular trades make the most sense here for some modest returns? Keep reading to find out.
Buffalo Sabres: Trades that makes sense – Anders Bjork
Austin paired the Bjork trade with a 2022 fifth-round pick, sending them to the Arizona Coyotes for a seventh-round pick. Clearly, this is a trade that would benefit not just Arizona, but any bottom-dwelling team looking for experience through a rebuild.
Bjork is a defensive-minded forward that provided such experience in Buffalo, but players like John Hayden and Vinnie Hinostroza proved to be more valuable. With J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn slated to join the Buffalo Sabres ranks barring anything unforeseen, Bjork is the one player under contract that is the odd man out.
Per Cap Friendly, the Sabres are set to pay Bjork a base of $1.8 million. And while they are trying to reach the cap floor, they also realize that it makes no sense for a player like Bjork to sit for 30 to 35 games when they can still get some trade value from him, even if it is nominal.
Look for the Sabres to trade Bjork to a team looking to tear things down and rebuild. Whether it is the Coyotes or a franchise in a similar situation.
Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson remains unsigned and while the Buffalo Sabres would love to bring in the former first round pick from 2019, they are also dealing with crunch time, as Johnson will become a free agent in August 2023 if he remains unsigned.
If things do not point to Johnson signing, or even if the Sabres want to get the most out of him value-wise, they may just end up trading him. This may actually work out well since, although it’s always a loss for a first round pick to never sign and play elsewhere, the Sabres are set at the defensive rotation.
If Adams signs or trades for an experienced defenseman with plenty left in the tank, the prospect of moving Johnson becomes even more likely. They may even try to maximize his value and trade him before the season begins.
The Sabres won’t get a first round pick by any means. But you can expect multiple picks in return between the second and fourth round in 2023 and 2024.
Erik Portillo
Austin also had Erik Portillo listed as a trade candidate in his article, where he outlines a scenario in which the Buffalo Sabres send the Michigan goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-rounder in 2024. In this situation, they would get something similar to what I would project them to receive in the Johnson trade.
This scenario is the polar opposite of Bjork’s, whereas a goaltender-needy team will try to acquire Portillo’s services long-term. Such a situation immediately inflates Portillo’s value, especially if a contender like Edmonton comes calling.
Austin also outlined the cap issues facing the Oilers, and Portillo would give them a cost-effective option. He also stresses that Portillo’s value is at its highest during the offseason, and that value may wane as the regular season begins and progresses.
Who the Buffalo Sabres may draft with the ninth pick. light. Trending
If the Sabres were to trade Portillo, expect it to occur before both the NHL season and his respective college season begins. Not the most ideal situation for Buffalo, but as Austin pointed out, they could get a decent return here.
Article Source: GM for a day: The Offseason – Austin/Die By the Blade