One year and two weeks ago, the Buffalo Sabres traded Sam Reinhart, the second of three star players Kevyn Adams traded away.
Since the Buffalo Sabres traded Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers for a first round pick and Devon Levi, the former second overall pick slid into his new role and played admirably, logging 82 points, 33 goals, and 49 assists in 78 games. Meanwhile, the Sabres have been intrigued by Levi and their 28th overall pick, Jiri Kulich.
While I wholeheartedly believe the Sabres won the Jack Eichel trade last November, this one appears to be a little tougher to dissect. I WANT to say the Sabres will win the Reinhart trade, but until Levi and Kulich step onto the ice as Sabres, there is no way I can give either franchise a clear-cut winner.
However, Reinhart will face an adjustment period this year with the incoming Matthew Tkachuk, so I will definitely keep an eye on how that progresses throughout the 2022-23 season. But more importantly, I will also keep tabs on Kulich, wherever he ends up playing, and of course, Levi.
The Buffalo Sabres are not yet clear-cut winners in the Sam Reinhart trade, but the aftereffects of the trade will come in the future.
Just as there is no clear-cut winner in this one, there is also no definitive grade. But if I were to grade the Sabres just over 365 days after they traded Reinhart, I would give general manager Kevyn Adams an ‘A.’
Why? Devon Levi was arguably the best goaltender in the NCAA last season, And in case you never saw them, his statistics were as follows: 0.952 save percentage, 1.54 GAA, and a 21-10-1 record. He also earned Hockey East All-Rookie, All-Hockey East First Team, and AHCA East First Team All-American honors.
Kulich, meanwhile, showed positive returns at Sabres development camp last month, mainly showing off his speed, puck control, and ability to weave in and out of the opposition. Along with Matthew Savoie and Noah Ostlund, Kulich also signed his entry-level contract, and he is eligible to play in the AHL this season if the Sabres decide to assign him to the squad.
Overall, early returns for Reinhart have worked in the Sabres favor, with Adams having snagged two promising prospects who figure to find themselves in the blue and gold. I also project Reinhart to continue to play well in Florida, so at this point, I am also giving the Panthers an ‘A.’
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Elite Prospects)