With trade season afloat, the Buffalo Sabres and their ample amount of cap space are not immune from rumors, with Boone Jenner serving as the latest name.
While I don’t foresee the Buffalo Sabres making a blockbuster trade, or even a trade at all to be honest, it’s always smart to cover all potential possibilities as they pop up in the rumor mill. Boone Jenner is the latest name to join the buzz, and the 29-year-old would command less compensation than the likes of Timo Meier or Patrick Kane.
With the Sabres gracing the top of the league in scoring, but among the bottom in terms of physicality and winning faceoffs, their best bet is to go with a player who best helps them in both categories. That said, Jenner would be a greater fit than either Meier or Kane, though Meier has shown time and again he can land quite a few checks.
Boone Jenner would be an adequate fit for the Buffalo Sabres
Jenner has a career faceoff win percentage (FOW%) of 54.2%, and this season, it’s sitting at 55.5%. That alone would help the Sabres. But he’s also not afraid to sacrifice the body to help out his goaltender, nor is he afraid to finish his checks, with 46 and 76 blocks and hits, respectively, this season.
Jenner also has 14 goals, putting him on pace to reach the second-highest number in his career and highest since 2015-16. This would, from a scoring standpoint, make him a better option than say, Casey Mittelstadt on the bottom six.
He also has 13 power play goals over the past two seasons (37 goals total in that span), meaning Jenner would also enhance the special teams unit. So while he isn’t a perennial all-star like Meier, the Sabres can snag Jenner at a cheaper price and he’d still check all the boxes.
Like I said, I don’t see this trade happening. But with the cheaper price than the likes of Meier or an aging Kane, I’d be far more willing to trade for Jenner as opposed to the aforementioned Meier or Kane.
Article Source: NHL Rumors: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams could look to reward his team with a deadline move or two by Mark Easson
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