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Top 5 defensemen the Buffalo Sabres can trade for in 2023

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 22, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman William Borgen (3) checks Boston Bruins center Curtis Lazar (20) as he goes for the puck behind the net during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman William Borgen (3) checks Boston Bruins center Curtis Lazar (20) as he goes for the puck behind the net during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5 – Dylan DeMelo, Winnipeg

And finally, we got Dylan DeMelo. While you may rather see another member of the Winnipeg Jets in the Queen City, let’s admit that DeMelo would make for an excellent consolation prize. Like Grzelcyk, DeMelo is only signed through 2023-24, but once again, the $3 million AAV is more than affordable.

It would take some convincing for the Jets to deal DeMelo, but if the Buffalo Sabres are interested and manage to pull this one off, they will have an RHD more than capable of lining up alongside Owen Power. He is also one of the more physical blueliners Buffalo can trade for, with DeMelo having hit triple-digits in blocks and hits over the past two seasons.

Related Story. Preliminary list of defensemen Sabres can target in 2023. light

Overall, any of the five names listed above are intriguing, and chances are, you could probably name a player or two that went unmentioned. Either way, look for Adams to call up several teams to try and snag a deal for either any of the above players, or someone similar, preferably one whose play complements Power’s. If he can find them, then the Blue and Gold’s chances of ending their playoff drought increase substantially.

Source: Can the Sabres add an impactful, top-four defenseman this summer? by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference; Salary cap numbers provided by Cap-Friendly)

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