With a potential trade for a defenseman this offseason, the Buffalo Sabres will likely make at least a prospect or two part of the deal.
We know the Buffalo Sabres will be looking to trade for a top four defenseman this offseason, with names like Noah Hanifin and Brett Pesce gracing the top of the rumor mill. And if the Blue and Gold are going to make a trade, a prospect, possibly more, will surely be a part of it.
Below, I’ve listed one “A Prospect” and a pair of “B Prospects” the Sabres could add in a trade for a top four blueliner, whether it’s Hanifin, Pesce, or even someone we haven’t discussed. Keep reading to find out how may be on the trade block.
Buffalo Sabres prospects who could be traded
1 – Noah Ostlund, C
Of the Sabres three first round draft picks in 2022, Noah Ostlund seems to be the odd man out, something I could’ve told you on draft night one year ago. With Matt Savoie and Jiri Kulich having come to North America, Ostlund opting to stay in Sweden this year, coupled with the fact there will be so few roster spots on the Blue and Gold, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Kevyn Adams made him a pivotal piece for any potential trade.
Ostlund isn’t going to score a team many goals, but he’s an outstanding passer who always seems to know what to do with the puck. His smaller size gives him a boost of speed and agility, and his puck control goes virtually unmatched.
Sure, the Buffalo Sabres will be taking a loss in their prospect pool if they trade Ostlund. But for a top four blueliner who will all but guarantee the team wins a few more games this season makes Ostlund a necessary part of any blockbuster.
2 – Aleksandr Kisakov, W
Overall, I’m a big fan of Aleksandr Kisakov, but in a trade involving a blueliner where a team could demand a “B Prospect,” no one’s name sticks out more. Though small, and still needing to figure out how to play the North American game, Kisakov’s potential and raw abilities are so far off the charts he would be an enticing addition to any prospects pool.
Again, I can only see the Buffalo Sabres trading Kisakov if they opted to trade for a top four blueliner AND the team they’re trading with wants a “B prospect” along with someone like Ostlund. Other than that, you can expect to see him return to Rochester this year.
3 – Viljami Marjala, W
Viljami Marjala is also one of those players the Sabres could tack on in a trade given his overall intrigue. While he’s probably never making it to the NHL on a full-time basis, he’s got a style of play that could raise some eyebrows (for the better) and it could entice an organization to take a flier on him as part of a larger overall trade package.
Given the influx at forward in the pool and in the lineup, Buffalo should have no problem parting ways with the unique and productive Marjala. And a potential trading partner could be getting themselves a steal a few seasons from today.
Source: Buffalo Sabres are No. 6 in 2023 NHL prospect pool rankings by Scott Wheeler TheAthletic.com