Buffalo Sabres: Top 3 rumors that won't happen in 2023

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The offseason is always speculation-filled, and the Buffalo Sabres are no exceptions to the rumor mill. Here are three that won’t become a reality in 2023.

General manager Kevyn Adams has been arguably the best thing to happen to the Buffalo Sabres in over a decade. He’s taken a team that was the NHL’s worst in the 2010s, built the prospect pool, traded away cornerstones from the previous regime, and methodically constructed the system with youth.

This method, along with head coach Don Granato’s knack for developing young players, turned the Sabres into a legitimate playoff contender this past season. Since the Blue and Gold missed the playoffs, it’s caused many blockbuster-like rumors to spread after the Sabres season ended in April.

But most of these rumors are those you can discard. Here are the top three.

WINNIPEG, CANADA – APRIL 5: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets follows a rebound with Andrew Mangiapane #88 of the Calgary Flames and teammate Dylan DeMelo #2 in the third period during a game on April 5, 2023 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Sabres: Don’t expect these three rumors to become realities

1 – Connor Hellebuyck trade

This is one rumor I will never understand. Sure, Kevyn Adams will call the Winnipeg Jets and see what the asking price is along with at least another 16 executives, but that’s customary. Once he gets information of what Winnipeg will want for a man who will be an unrestricted free agent next season, the Hellebuyck to Buffalo rumors should fizzle soon after.

Winnipeg will want high-end prospects and perhaps even a current young player on the roster for Hellebuyck, or at least that will be the case with Buffalo. Since the 30-year-old will likely demand a contract substantially larger than the roughly $6.167 million deal he’s currently on, it would alter the “long-term success” trajectory Adams currently has this team on.

Adams’ plan has worked wonders in just three seasons. So why mortgage that on someone like Hellebuyck? There is no logic in that unless you’re building a one-year team.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 13: Connor Murphy #5 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center on April 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Flyers defeated the Blackhawks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2 – Blockbuster trade for a top four defenseman

This is another rumor that will go to the wayside once the Buffalo Sabres pick the best player on the board at 13th overall. To build long-term success, you need to keep building the prospects pool, and while it’s tougher to maintain when the team is winning, it’s not impossible if you stick to the method that made your team relevant in the first place.

In Kevyn Adams’ case, that involved drafting solid players and building the organization via prospects, not trades. While a top four blueliner in their mid-20s would fit the Sabres long-term plans, it still mortgages the pool regarding trading away some top talents for such an established player.

It’s true that not all prospects in that strong pool will play in the NHL for the Sabres, and yes, the inevitable blockbuster trade will occur. But it won’t happen at the risk of trading away a top prospect, or prospects, in 2023.

Once the Sabres have nothing more than an opening or two in the lineup, then you may see this kind of trade happen. But it won’t occur until at least 2024, perhaps even 2025, depending on what the roster looks like.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MAY 07: Damon Severson #28 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal with teammates Luke Hughes #43 and Jack Hughes #86 during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at Prudential Center on May 07, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. both Hughes recorded an assist on the goal. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3 – Signing a blueliner to a monster contract

There are a lot of fans and analysts out there who believe Adams should sign someone in their mid-to-late 20s to a monster deal. And let’s be honest, such a move would likely catapult the Buffalo Sabres into the playoffs next season.

But if Adams is still interested in keeping his current talent, they need to come first. It makes far more sense to extend Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power to a deal that the duo deserves. It also makes sense to keep money back in case he’s interested in ultimately extending Casey Mittelstadt and/or Peyton Krebs, both of whom will be restricted free agents following the 2023-24 season.

Ditto for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who for all we know, can also make the leap. Hey, if Mittelstadt is capable, then who isn’t, right?

We know Dahlin and Power are cornerstones, while Mittelstadt showed off what he can do when he’s healthy for an entire season. Krebs is making a name for himself on the lower lines. Further, the Sabres just signed three blueliners, and I have no doubt all of them are in their long-term vision.

Once again, you’re potentially mortgaging here, and Adams will be wise enough to realize that. Instead of signing someone to a huge deal to line up alongside Power, he will more likely roll with a defenseman around age 30 and sign them to a two-year deal. This gives the Buffalo Sabres a decent stopgap, which simultaneously, allows the likes of Ryan Johnson, Vsevolod Komarov, and Nikita Novikov to develop and eventually enter the lineup.

Related Story. 5 defensemen over age 30 the Buffalo Sabres can sign. light

Rumors are fun to talk and speculate about. And while trading for someone like Connor Hellebuyck and signing a top four defenseman would be easy decisions if you were building a one-year team, this isn’t the case in reality. Instead, Adams wants the Sabres to sustain their success both in 2023-24, and for years on end. That long-term success is at risk if he makes such blockbuster moves.

(Contract information provided by Cap Friendly)

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