Buffalo Sabres: Is a trade for Patrick Kane in the making?
Sabre Noise’s sister site, Da Windy City, just outlined a potential trade between the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks involving Patrick Kane.
Sticking to the plan and resisting to pull off a blockbuster trade for a 30-plus-year-old NHL superstar is the preferred method for Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams. But Da Windy City just outlined three potential trade scenarios regarding Kane. All three of which pertained to the Sabres.
So while a trade for Kane is not likely, it never hurts to explore the rumor and conclude how realistic each trade scenario is. So without further ado, let’s get to the three packages Da Windy City proposed. Oh, and be sure to check out their take on the issue.
Scenario A: Buffalo Sabres trade Jack Quinn, plus their 2022 second and third-round picks
This scenario would probably start a Fire Adams movement in Buffalo. While it may be a good idea if the Sabres were just one puzzle piece away from winning the division, the Blackhawks have a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup next season than for this trade to occur.
And again, if it did, I doubt Adams would last much longer as the Sabres general manager. But hey, that’s what makes articles like these so much fun to write. Yeah, it’s possible. Anything in the NHL is possible. There are infinite possibilities within a single sports realm. But most will never come into fruition. This is one of those scenarios.
Scenario B: Sabres trade Dylan Cozens, Jacob Bryson, and the 16th pick
Okay, while I doubt this one occurs, it’s far more realistic than sending Quinn to Chicago. I honestly wouldn’t be too bent out of shape if it did happen. But I don’t see it happening simply because the Buffalo Sabres would potentially get at least another decade out of Cozens and Bryson than they would for the aging Kane.
But then again, bringing in Kane for Cozens, Bryson, and the 16th pick would also bring in someone with playoff experience who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win a Stanley Cup. The Sabres also have a plethora of prospects signing entry-level deals.
And Kane is producing at a high enough level to where he could stay with the team for three to five seasons. In that timeframe, players like Aleksandr Kisakov, Isak Rosen, Josh Bloom, and Olivier Nadeau would be growing within the system.
And eventually, or hopefully, they’ll be on the main roster. By which time Kane would be ready to retire. But the Sabres also have a system in place. So don’t expect Adams to pull this off.
Sabres trade Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt, the 16th, and 28th picks
I’m not going to lie. I could see the Buffalo Sabres trading away both Olofsson and Mittelstadt if the price is right this offseason. But there is no way Adams is trading away all that draft capital plus two very capable players for an aging forward.
Now, take out Kane and insert Alex DeBrincat in his place. Now the offer is a little more enticing. Actually, it got a lot more enticing. And while I don’t think DeBrincat is worth the price shown above, I would rather see him in the blue and gold as opposed to Kane. Personally, that would tempt me.
light. Related Story. Should the Sabres trade for DeBrincat?
Overall, I don’t see any of these trades coming into fruition. Scenario B in the previous slide is the likeliest of the three. The least likely scenario is the first. There is no way the Sabres will trade Jack Quinn after what he did this past season. Even if he cooled down in the playoffs.