Top 3 defensemen the Buffalo Sabres could trade for at 2023 NHL Draft

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The Buffalo Sabres could wind up trading for a defenseman in the 2023 offseason. Here are three names to keep an eye on this week.

With just over a week until the 2023 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres could be doing more than just drafting prospects who could one day wear a blue and gold uniform. There will be no shortages of trades next week, and you can expect general manager Kevyn Adams to potentially take part in one for a defenseman.

We know the Blue and Gold are looking for someone, most likely an RHD, to line up alongside Owen Power on the second line. Below, there are three potential candidates, two of which are right-shot defensemen.

So who may be there for the taking when the 2023 NHL Entry Draft rolls around on June 28th? Here are three names to look out for.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 18: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes argues for penalty against the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 18, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3 blueliners the Buffalo Sabres could trade for next week

1 – Brett Pesce, Carolina Hurricanes

We already talked about Brett Pesce in a previous piece, but he’s worth mentioning again. Pesce, who could be finished with the Carolina Hurricanes if he and the team can’t reach an extension, would be a perfect fit to line up alongside the second-year blueliner in Owen Power.

Pesce would bring eight seasons of experience to the Buffalo Sabres, and his ability to force opponents to improvise and to create turnovers would immediately upgrade what was a struggling unit in 2022-23. If Pesce hasn’t reached a deal with Carolina by this time next week, look for the Sabres to close in and offer a rather lucrative package for the longtime defenseman.

In a dream scenario, Pesce will fit right in with the Blue and Gold, and since he’s only 28, there is a chance he can also fit into Buffalo’s long-term plans. And if that’s the case, Kevyn Adams has enough cap space to ink Pesce. If not, there will still be plenty of talent in and coming to Rochester who could eventually take over.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – APRIL 08: Andrew Peeke #2 of the Columbus Blue Jackets smiles during warmup before the game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena on April 08, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) /

2 – Andrew Peeke, Columbus Blue Jackets

Thanks to recent events that involved the Columbus Blue Jackets acquiring Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov, along with David Jiricek set to rise through the ranks, Andrew Peeke just became expendable. The former second-round pick is just 25, and he’s shown incredible durability over the past two seasons, seeing ice time in 162 of a possible 164 regular season games.

During that time, Peeke has also evolved into one of the NHL’s most notorious hitters, logging 191 in 2021-22 before he came back this past season and recorded another 180. Peeke also amassed 169 and 197 blocks over the past two seasons, respectively, along with averaging at least 21:15 of ice time in each of the previous two seasons.

Further, if the Buffalo Sabres want to acquire someone for a bargain, Peeke should be their guy. While the Blue Jackets may want something lucrative in return, Peeke’s AAV runs at just $2.75 million until 2025-26. Overall, if Pesce is off the table, then Adams must inquire about Peeke.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Joel Edmundson #44 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3 – Joel Edmundson, Montreal Canadiens

This one is the wild card, both because Joel Edmundson is an LHD, and there is the fact he plays for a division rival. But, trades within the division aren’t unheard of, and I’ve seen Edmundson’s name floating around on some potential trade lists, so he’s getting the nod.

One thing I love about Edmundson is that he has playoff experience, and the Buffalo Sabres could use a blueliner who has not only been there, but one who has also won a Cup. He’s also a towering presence, standing at 6’5, which gives him more of a Mattias Samuelsson vibe. Edmundson also logged 112 hits and 149 blocks last season, so he makes for a good physical presence.

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Edmundson does have a 10-team No Trade Clause, per Cap Friendly, but he’s also playing in a contract season with an AAV of just $3.5 million. While I don’t see Kevyn Adams pulling this trade off, it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to make a sensible deal that wouldn’t cost too much in compensation for a potential stopgap, and that’s something worth accounting for.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference, salary info provided by Cap Friendly)

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