Thatcher Demko is the latest potential trade candidate whose name has been linked to none other than the Buffalo Sabres. But would this make sense?
We’re less than one month from the NHL trade deadline, and as is the case every single season, the rumor mill is afloat with plenty of names linked to the Buffalo Sabres. One shocking name is Vancouver Canucks goaltender, Thatcher Demko, who missed an extended period of time this season thanks to a lower body injury.
Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet offered his take on the subject, outlining the Sabres as one of three landing spots along with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
Friedman suggests that the Sabres make sense for Demko pic.twitter.com/yJVoFwHTXo
— Joe Marino (@JoeMarinoTCB) January 31, 2023
Despite the injury plus a spotty 3-10-2 record, 0.883 save percentage, and a 3.93 GAA, the Canucks believe they can trade and get a viable return for Demko as they continue to rebuild for the future. And with the Sabres, somehow, linked to Demko, it’s appropriate that we at least explore the topic. Would such a trade make sense for the Blue and Gold? Let’s discuss it below.
Several pros and cons exist for the Buffalo Sabres if they traded for Demko
One of the pros is simple: You would ideally have a viable backup or even a part-time starting goaltender for the next three seasons in Demko. He was also a stellar goaltender between 2021 and 2022, where he posted a 0.915 save percentage and a 2.79 GAA. This shows that yes, Demko can be an effective goaltender, especially if he had even a halfway decent team surrounding him.
With Craig Anderson likely retiring following the season and the fact Eric Comrie could wind up elsewhere thanks to his bust status at the moment, the Sabres wouldn’t need to worry about finding a backup goaltender in 2023-24 if they made an in-season trade for Demko.
The downers, however, are aplenty. For one, Demko’s numbers have dipped. So even if he was one of the league’s better goaltenders for a couple of seasons (took seventh for the Vezina last year), could he return to form?
Secondly, when does he return to the ice? A few weeks from now the season will be nearing its endgame, so a bubble team like the Sabres may not even be able to use his services until October. Plus, would the Sabres want to pay Demko $7 million next season to be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup or at most, a part-time starter?
So while the Sabres may, again, somehow, have their name linked to Demko, there is no way this makes sense. Sure, there are a few pluses, but right now, the costs outweigh the benefits.
Article Source: BUFFALO SABRES LINKED TO HUGE GOALTENDER TRADE by Chris Owen
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