The Buffalo Sabres will most likely miss the playoffs this year, meaning the 2023 offseason is right around the corner. With it, comes rumor season.
The NHL offseason is full of rumors, and the Buffalo Sabres will be part of more than a few of them. However, given the state of the team and specific players who fans (and those and league circles) would like to see play, and not play, for them, there are three rumors that you can expect to hear about when the new league year begins.
What are these rumors and will they hold any water? Keep reading for more.
1 – Buffalo Sabres will be linked to Patrick Kane
When haven’t we heard these rumors before? Hearing rumors regarding Patrick Kane being linked to the Sabres is inevitable, and it will remain so until one of two things happen. Either Kane will (eventually) retire, never to suit up for his hometown team, or he will sign a reduced deal and play out the rest of his career in the blue and gold.
What will ultimately happen? Kane will play elsewhere in 2023-24, and he will retire in the not-so-distant future without putting on a blue and gold uniform. There is nothing about the team’s plans that even remotely suggests Kane is coming to Buffalo.
2 – Sabres will trade for a goaltender
Okay, here’s the score: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen isn’t ready to be a starting goaltender in the NHL. And Eric Comrie is best suited to be a backup in places where he only needs to play 20 or fewer games.
While I listed the duo as my projected goaltenders for next season, keep in mind that the projection was nothing more than a subject to change baseline. Therefore, this is an offseason rumor that will hold far more water.
Why trade and not sign? Just take one look at the upcoming free agent class, and you’ll know why. Let’s see if the Buffalo Sabres can instead acquire someone like Thatcher Demko or Karel Vejmelka.
3 – Sabres will trade Victor Olofsson
Most likely, the bottom six will comprise centers Peyton Krebs and Tyson Jost, with Jordan Greenway and Casey Mittelstadt stepping in as the wingers. Don’t be surprised if Matt Savoie or Jiri Kulich end up on the third line in 2023-24 (I currently have Kulich penciled in), with either Brett Murray or Lukas Rousek (Murray is my projection at the moment), stepping onto the fourth.
Obviously, Savoie and Kulich are Olofsson’s eventual replacements, something we saw coming dating back to last season if Olofsson didn’t play up to scratch. With 26 goals and 36 points in 68 games this season, it’s clear Olofsson is nothing more than strictly a scoring specialist, meaning a would-be contender who needs one will be willing to trade for the winger.
Look for the Buffalo Sabres to field some phone calls about Olofsson. And yes, this rumor also holds water. Expect Olofsson to be in a different uniform next year, making room for Savoie or Kulich.
Source: Sabres Mailbag: How should GM Kevyn Adams react to the recent struggles? by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com