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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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May 18, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading for Matthew Tkachuk

Patrick Kane is 33 and he has a limited number of seasons left while Victor Olofsson could potentially become a 60-70-point per year type of player. But Matthew Tkachuk is a young player who will turn 25 in December. So why shouldn’t the Buffalo Sabres have traded for him?

Rumor had it that the Sabres were among the favorites to land Tkachuk, but as you know, he went to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and Cole Schwindt, among other assets. Initially, I thought the Flames would go after prospects, considering their already tumultuous offseason, but it was clear they wanted to remain in contention.

Trading for Huberdeau, Weegar, and a promising prospect in Schwindt allowed that. Now that the trade is in hindsight, this is what I believe the Sabres would have given up: Jack Quinn, first round pick, Rasmus Dahlin, Casey Mittelstadt. 

Huberdeau was a star player, so in this scenario, Dahlin fit that mold. Clearly, a player of Tkachuk’s caliber would have warranted at least one first round pick, and a prospect, so that’s where Quinn gets moved. Finally, they would also want a current forward to take a chance on, and that would involve Mittelstadt.

Overall, the trade of this caliber just wasn’t worth it. The Sabres would get one great player in Tkachuk, but they would give up a great player in Dahlin. They would also ship away a potential future All-Star in Quinn, plus a first round pick that could warrant yet another franchise cornerstone.

Must Read. Bold predictions for Buffalo Sabres prospects. light

Finally, shipping Mittelstadt could have been a bonus for Calgary if he ended up playing like an eighth overall pick. This trade, even with Tkachuk on the roster, could potentially have set the Sabres back.

Article Source: Buffalo Sabres a leading candidate to land Matthew Tkachuk by Chris Owen

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