Many fans of the Buffalo Sabres would love to see a trade for Timo Meier, but the ensuing compensation may be out of their reach.
The Buffalo Sabres will most likely look to improve their defensive rotation. But if they can’t get a deal done, don’t be surprised if they trade for a physical forward as a consolation. Of course, this would necessitate kicking a forward out of the lineup, where they would, in turn, become a healthy scratch.
Or better yet, there is even a chance such a forward could be part of a swap. For example, they could move someone like Casey Mittelstadt or even the odd-man-out in Rasmus Asplund. Not that it would be a player-for-player swap, but instead, part of an overall package to send for one of the three potential candidates below.
So who are these power forwards? Let’s meet them.
1 – Jesse Puljujarvi
Jesse Puljujarvi has never quite lived to expectations, but he’s also one of the most physical forwards in the NHL. In just 50 contests this year, Puljujarvi has already set a career high with hits with 102. He’s also taken care of the puck, logging just 11 giveaways all season and that makes him even more valuable to a team like the Buffalo Sabres.
Puljujarvi has a downside, however, and it comes with his contract. While he will be an RFA following the season, he could demand a higher sum than his current $3 million. And that could be too high for the Sabres to keep around if Puljujarvi underperforms. Overall, I like Puljujarvi, but he may come with too much risk.
2 – Sam Lafferty
Sam Lafferty doesn’t have a power forward build, but he’s physical nonetheless, having logged 80 hits in 45 contests. Lafferty is also looking at a career high in FOW%, winning 53.5% of his faceoffs thus far, and that’s something the Buffalo Sabres could use.
Best yet, Lafferty is signed through 2023-24 with an AAV of $1.15 million, so acquiring him via trade and paying him won’t break the bank. Lafferty would further help on the penalty kill, something else the Sabres could also stand to improve. Overall, Lafferty could be the most realistic and valuable option on this list if the Blue and Gold want a solid, physical bottom six forward.
3 – Nick Bjugstad
Case in point, Nick Bjugstad’s build is close to Tage Thompson’s. But unlike Tage, Bjugstad is less of a scorer and more of a hitter. While Bjugstad would immediately help the Buffalo Sabres get more physical, there are two downsides regarding him: Age, and the fact he will be a UFA following the season.
The good news is that Bjugstad would be more than valuable on the third line this season. And if the Sabres re-signed him, he could easily take over a spot on the fourth line that either Zemgus Girgensons or Kyle Okposo could leave vacant. And chances are, the 30-year-old would return for a cheaper price, as he currently holds an AAV of just $900k.
Overall, I don’t see the Sabres trading for a power forward unless they can’t land a defenseman at the deadline. Trading for another forward could necessitate the Sabres moving someone like Mittelstadt or Asplund, if that’s something general manager Kevyn Adams would choose to do, but he may also opt to keep the unit intact.
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