There are several questions facing the Buffalo Sabres as the NHL trade deadline fast approaches. Here are the three most pressing.
The Buffalo Sabres may be a better team this season, but they are still a group full of question marks. As a team hovering just outside the wild card slots, there are a number of avenues the Blue and Gold can take this season.
They may be buyers, even if the playoffs look less likely as the trade deadline rolls around. Or, they may end up selling to free up a few spots in the lineup for younger players. Let’s discuss each of these possibilities below.
1 – Should the Buffalo Sabres buy regardless of points total?
If the Buffalo Sabres can find the right player at the right price, they should buy regardless. Adding a young, physical winger or defenseman at the deadline could help them out long-term.
They shouldn’t break the bank over it, nor should they pay any prospective player millions. But adding a role player even if playoff contention looks less likely two weeks from now could help them set the stage for 2023-24 and beyond.
2 – Should the Sabres end up selling at the deadline?
If the Sabres find themselves in a position where it’s likely they will miss the playoffs for a 12th straight season AND if they want to recall a few younger players for a trial, why not sell at the deadline? They could likely move someone like Zemgus Girgensons or Rasmus Asplund to free up space for a couple of players performing well over in Rochester, and that could pay dividends long-term.
No, the Blue and Gold won’t get much for either of the aforementioned players, but that’s not the point. Instead, by moving an older asset or someone who’s been an odd-man-out for most of the season will give talent who you expect to be in Buffalo long-term some experience in the NHL. Players like Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek, and even Jiri Kulich could be on the shortlist.
3 – Why won’t the Sabres pull off a blockbuster deal?
At this point, it makes zero sense to pull off a blockbuster trade. Suppose the Sabres had 68 points instead of 58, then going for someone to give the team one additional boost would be beneficial.
But at this point, the Blue and Gold are still building and developing team chemistry. They also want to keep as much cap space as they can to extend their current core before adding any big name from the outside.
It may seem frustrating to some fans, but taking the longer route that raises the probability of long-term success is in both foresight and hindsight is the smarter move here. Sure, it means missing out on players like Timo Meier, but when the Sabres win consistently as this young core gains experience, there will be plenty of Meier-like assets to trade for when that time comes.
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