Buffalo Sabres: 3 blockbuster trade packages for Jason Robertson
The rumor mill is afloat regarding the Buffalo Sabres making a potential deal for one of the hottest upcoming stars in the NHL.
Just because it’s the preseason, it does not mean the rumor mill is finished going through its rounds. As you may already know, it has been rumored the Buffalo Sabres inquired about potentially acquiring Jason Robertson’s services.
And while I’m on the conservative side when it comes to team building, through the draft and a solid prospects pool, landing Robertson would not be a half-bad idea. Why? He’s still just starting to break into his prime, having played in just 128 games.
Unlike Alex DeBrincat, who will need to acclimate to his new teammates in Ottawa after playing in 368 games with the Blackhawks. Ditto for Matthew Tkachuk in Florida, as he saw 431 games of action in Calgary.
Experience-wise Robertson matches that of many on the young Buffalo Sabres. So while I’m never completely hot on a trade, I am more open to this one should it occur. But what will the Sabres need to give up? Here are three scenarios, with varying levels of logic, but after what we have seen regarding NHL trades, none of the below (or another scenario) would surprise me.
Buffalo Sabres trade scenarios for Jason Robertson: Scenario #1
This is the likeliest trade scenario in my eyes. While I wouldn’t be a fan of seeing Quinn go, the Stars won’t give up Robertson for nothing, and Quinn is one of the NHL’s better up-and-coming players who can step in and contribute immediately. This scenario also sees Casey Mittelstadt getting a fresh start and a change of scenery.
The Buffalo Sabres would keep their 2023 first round pick since they are swapping two former first rounders to Dallas, but will need to give up a second rounder to complete the deal. Since the Stars figure to compete for a playoff spot, they will want to acquire a player who could be an immediate replacement for Robertson, and Quinn can be that player.
Buffalo Sabres right a perceived wrong
For this trade to occur, Skinner would need to remove his no-movement clause. While moving Skinner would shock the NHL universe, there are sound logistics behind it. The Stars get a winger who enjoyed a season of redemption in 2021-22, and one that will join a hockey team figuring to contend for the playoffs.
However, there is always the chance that Skinner lapses into the ineffective player we saw in 2019-20 and 2020-21, which warrants the Stars to ask for another forward they can groom in their system, which is where Biro comes in. Side Note: Trading Biro would devastate me, but the NHL is a business, and Biro is evolving into a remarkable prospect.
The Stars also get a 2023 first round pick in the event neither Skinner nor Biro play to expectations, allowing them to snag a potential replacement with a first round pick. Ideally, this would be a protected pick.
The WOW Scenario
Once again, parting ways with a talent like Peterka would not be easy, especially after how well he has played in training camp and in the preseason. But there is a chance general manager Kevyn Adams sees him as expendable in a trade for a talent like Robertson.
The Buffalo Sabres also showed how deep they are all over their prospect pool so far in preseason. While Peterka is one of the most talented in the pool, players like Jiri Kulich, Linus Weissbach, Lukas Rousek, and Brandon Biro have potential to become sound NHL players on the middle to lower lines.
This, in turn, could justify the Sabres in moving Peterka, plus three draft picks to acquire Robertson. Skinner, as in the previous scenario, would need to waive his no-movement clause for this trade to occur. While Peterka could be enough to see this trade through, adding Skinner again gives the Stars a player who could help them immediately just in case Peterka needs to acclimate himself.
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Overall, I don’t see this trade happening, as I feel the Sabres would be giving up way too much. But it’s also wise to expect the unexpected in the NHL, so I needed to place at least one out of this world scenario in this article.