Buffalo Sabres: Outlining three trade proposals for Tyler Bertuzzi

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Ryan Johnson poses for a portrait after being selected thirty-first overall by the Buffalo Sabres during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Sabres trade: Victor Olofsson, Jacob Bryson, Ryan Johnson

As big of a fan as I am of Olofsson, Bertuzzi has been historically more productive, although the former had arguably the best strretch of his career from February to April 2021. This makes it tougher to get rid of Olofsson. But the Sabres may believe they are better off trading the RFA since his trade value will be higher at this point.

Bryson, for the reasons mentioned in the previous slide, will also go in this scenario. Ryan Johnson, like Portillo, remains unsigned. The former first round pick has played well in college, prompting many in the Buffalo Sabres faithful to lobby for keeping him around.

But just as in Bryson‘s case, there may be no room for him. We know Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, and Henri Jokiharju are shoo-ins for the rotation. Casey Fitzgerald comes with a unique skill-set and is likely the fifth option and would man the third pairing with Jokiharju.

While it is possible Jokiharju remains on the second pairing, the odds of him doing so will grow slim if and when the Sabres add a veteran presence. Given that defensive rotation, Johnson simply won’t sign with Buffalo, which would prompt general manager Kevyn Adams to trade the prospect since the Sabres still own his rights.

*This was the second proposal I pitched to Mead.

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