Should Noah Hanifin be on the Buffalo Sabres trade radar?

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Mar 12, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (55) against the Ottawa Senators during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Trade Package

McKenzie has the Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames would also swap first round picks, which would be sensible. But given the overall risk with acquiring Hanifin as a potential rental if the parties can’t reach an extension, I wouldn’t expect the Sabres to give away anyone from their current core.

Therefore, you can forget about them trading the likes of Krebs or Mittelstadt. However, I could see the Sabres giving up the following assets for Hanifin and the 16th overall pick:

Victor Olofsson
Jacob Bryson
13th overall pick
Noah Ostlund

This would work well for the Sabres, as they would free up cap space. It also lets them move back in the 2023 NHL Draft and perhaps snag someone like Quentin Musty. Meanwhile, the purportedly rebuilding Flames would get a pair of stopgaps in Olofsson and Bryson, and they’re getting a high-end prospect in Ostlund.

Overall, this deal could end up as a win-win for the Sabres and Flames. Buffalo gets its top four guy perhaps long-term, and if either Olofsson or Bryson get it together, then the Flames could have one or even a pair of pieces to ink to long-term deals.

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