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Buffalo Sabres: 3 possible trades at the 2022-23 trade deadline

By Sion Fawkes

Nov 8, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Cody Eakin (20) celebrates with Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Cody Eakin (20) celebrates with Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) skates for the puck during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading for a forward

This past weekend, I’ve had at least two inquiries regarding the Buffalo Sabres situation regarding face-offs, and who would win one with the team either up or down by one goal with a minute to go in the contest. My answer was either Girgensons or Cozens. The former proved last season he can win face-offs at least half the time, while the latter will improve in the category.

But suppose for a second Girgensons and Cozens both regress in winning face-off battles. Now what? If the Sabres even remotely find themselves in contention, expect them to trade for a forward who can win face-offs with the game on the line.

This individual would be a player that, like Girgensons, has an expiring contract toward the end of the season. The team trading them would also pose zero interest in re-signing them, perhaps because of their age or that they no longer fit the system.

Wait? Age? Aren’t the Sabres trying to get younger here? It is true, but this player would be a stopgap solely helping the team return to the playoffs for the first time in about a thousand years. I wouldn’t expect the Sabres to trade anything more than a late-round pick for them.

And I also wouldn’t look for them to stick around Buffalo any longer than a season or two. At least until the Sabres can find a younger replacement to win face-offs.

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