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Buffalo Sabres: 3 offseason trades we are glad didn’t happen

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 23, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for the puck during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for the puck during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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There were a few trade rumors surrounding the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022-23 NHL offseason. And we are glad these rumors didn’t come into fruition.

Blockbuster trades are always a huge part of every team’s offseason. But the Buffalo Sabres held firm and stuck to the plan Kevyn Adams laid out for them.

The Sabres had so much cap space that Adams easily could have pulled off a big trade and put the team in win-now mode. He didn’t. Mainly, because he knew of all the capital he would’ve had to give up to pull off such a trade. And doing so could have made the Sabres instant contenders, but there was also the possibility the contention would remain short-lived.

So let’s relive those three trade possibilities that the Sabres were rumored to have potentially pulled off. Starting with a scenario that everyone was talking about.

Buffalo Sabres
Mar 23, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) reacts during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3 potential offseason trades we are glad the Buffalo Sabres didn’t pull off: Trade #1 – Trading for Patrick Kane

This was one potential trade some media outlets went as far as to say the Buffalo Sabres should make. But really, it didn’t make much sense. Kane was heading into the final year of his contract, he was due $6.9 million, and his age implies he’s on the back-nine career-wise.

I understand why some outlets and many fans wanted to see this happen. Kane is from Buffalo. He is still a dominant player, having scored more points than any other Sabre last season. But how many good years does he have left and how much money would he be looking for next season?

Adams is looking to retain as much young talent as he can, and having Kane on the roster makes extending the contracts of that talent less feasible. And we haven’t even gotten to the biggest reason I’m glad this trade never occurred: The cost. 

Had the Sabres traded for Kane, odds were high they would have parted ways with the likes of Jack Quinn or J.J. Peterka, because Chicago would have likely demanded a top-end prospect. The Sabres would have traded at least one first round pick, and a current forward on the roster – perhaps Casey Mittelstadt – but the Blackhawks may have wanted more.

Overall, trading for Kane would have resulted in a massive win for the Blackhawks. Early on, the Sabres may have benefitted. But then again, Kane has only led the Blackhawks to the playoffs once in the past five seasons…

Article Source: Sabres Could Use Kane but the Cost Could Be Too High by Keiran Bray

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