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Expect the Buffalo Sabres to pursue Carolina’s Brett Pesce

By Sion Fawkes

May 9, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) shoots the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) shoots the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the Carolina Hurricanes can’t extend blueliner Brett Pesce, expect the Buffalo Sabres to inquire about acquiring his services. 

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun listed the Buffalo Sabres as a potential contender to acquire Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce if the latter is unable to snag him to a long-term contract extension. We know general manager Kevyn Adams will be doing all he can to land a top-four blueliner to line up alongside the brewing star that is Owen Power. And Pesce, despite not boasting an overtly physical presence, is more than capable of playing solid top four minutes.

Logging just 37 hits last season, Pesce appeared in all 82 contests, amassing 30 points and 60 takeaways while committing just 26 giveaways. He also recorded 110 blocks.

Looking at Pesce’s metrics, things get even better, as the ‘Canes saw a 91.3% on-ice save percentage when he was on the ice at 5-on-5, and 90.5% at even strength. Pesce’s respective Corsi and Fenwick For Percentages rested at roughly 58% and 57% at both 5-on-5 and even strength.

Brett Pesce would be a remarkable fit for the Buffalo Sabres

If the Buffalo Sabres acquired Pesce, then their defensive rotation could be set for the 2023-24 season. Here is what the lineup could possibly look like with the 28-year-old in the lineup:

  • Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
  • Owen Power – Brett Pesce
  • Henri Jokiharju – Ilya Lyubushkin
  • Riley Stillman

Overall, you have solid-to-elite talents in the top four with Dahlin and Samuelsson forming what could become one of the best defensive pairings in hockey next season. Power will only get better after his Calder-contending rookie season, and we know how good of a player Pesce is.

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While Henri Jokiharju and Ilya Lyubushkin aren’t top four talents, it would be interesting to see what they bring with more limited ice time. If they average roughly 16 to 17 minutes per contest, they will go much further in helping the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24 than they did in 2022-23. Stillman is the front runner, at this point, to be the seventh man in the rotation.

Source: Insider Trading: Will the Sharks part ways with Karlsson? TSN.ca

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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