Buffalo Sabres 2023 trade predictions: Who’s staying and who’s going?
It’s always a good problem to have when you have an influx of talented players on the roster at each position. And it’s an issue the Buffalo Sabres face.
The Buffalo Sabres have several players of differing values they may trade between now and the time training camp rolls around in September. For some players, it’s just a matter of time before they’re sent elsewhere, but for others, things may not be so clear-cut.
Below, I’ve listed five players who have been part of those trade rumors. Some will be wearing a different uniform this season, but others will stay behind in the Queen City and help the Buffalo Sabres return to the playoffs.
Who will the Buffalo Sabres trade before the 2023-24 season and who stays?
1 – Casey Mittelstadt
I can see the logic many are making in their argument to trade Casey Mittelstadt. With so many big names in the prospects pool, plus the fact Mittelstadt is coming off of a career performance in a contract season, it makes sense to trade him while his value is high.
If Mittelstadt reverts back to his former self and the Sabres decide to not bring him back, or if his stock keeps pointing north and he demands a much larger contract, then there is a good chance Buffalo loses him for nothing. However, Mittelstadt showed us last season he’s a versatile player who filled in well for Tage Thompson when needed, and he’s the probable frontrunner to replace Jack Quinn during the latter’s injury.
Further, Mittelstadt also has built-in chemistry with the Sabres. And for a team looking to make the playoffs, that chemistry will be vital to their success. Especially for the league’s third-youngest team.
Overall, Mittelstadt stays, as the Sabres, even after inevitable extensions for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, have the cap space to keep Mittelstadt around if he repeats or improves upon last season. If not, then the Sabres have players in the system who can replace him, so it’s not like they’re losing out by refusing to trade the 24-year-old.
Further, there is always the chance Mittelstadt signs a long-term contract just south of what we’ve seen from Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens. With the cap space they still have, Buffalo should have no problem keeping Mittelstadt, and maximizing the team’s overall chemistry. Prediction: Stays in Buffalo/signs extension.
2 – Victor Olofsson
Victor Olofsson is the one player whose name you hear more than anyone else’s when it comes to possibly trading a forward. While his overall game is subpar, Olofsson has a great shot and can become quite the power play specialist on a team that needs one, and that will pique some general managers’ interest.
Buffalo also has prospects like Lukas Rousek who could fill Olofsson’s spot and not miss a beat. Even younger guys like Jiri Kulich could inevitably bring more value to the Buffalo Sabres than Olofsson.
Despite Olofsson’s inability to be the most effective player on the ice, a team needing a power play specialist will come knocking. Therefore, I’m still expecting the Sabres to move Olofsson. Prediction: Traded for mid-round pick.
3 – Jacob Bryson
With so many defensemen in the lineup, there is no way the Sabres can hold onto all of them, and Jacob Bryson is the clear odd man out. In reality, there are a few who fit the aforementioned mold, but Bryson brings the least amount of value to the team.
This is one of those cases where the Sabres should just swap the much-maligned blueliner for a late-round pick and use that pick on a high-potential prospect with raw talent in a future draft. Who knows? Maybe they’ll land another Nikita Novikov with the selection? Prediction: Traded for late-round pick.
4 – Henri Jokiharju
The Buffalo Sabres traded for Riley Stillman last season, brought in Kale Clague (and re-signed him this year), and also signed Ilya Lyubushkin under Kevyn Adams. However, Adams never traded for Henri Jokiharju, and that alone could make him more expendable than the other low-grade defensemen.
Like Bryson, Jokiharju gave the Buffalo Sabres little to get excited for, and they will do one of two things: Either package him in to a potential trade for a goaltender (see #5 on this list), or just swap him for yet another late-round pick, depending on what Adams decides to do – most likely the latter.
Why Jokiharju and not Bryson, you may ask? Both struggled last season, but Jokiharju has at least shown flashes during his time with the Sabres, and that potential could entice some front offices. But like I implied, not expecting the blockbuster goaltender trade. Prediction: Traded for a late-round pick.
5 – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Finally, we got Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who’s become arguably the most polarizing name on this list. I’m in full support of Luukkonen staying and teaming with Levi, but I’ve also written about why the Buffalo Sabres would trade Luukkonen.
It makes sense, especially if the Sabres were looking to trade for a more experienced goaltender to pair with Levi. This package would also include a player like Jokiharju, a mid-round pick in 2024, 2025, or both, plus a high-end prospect.
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But given the most recent signings at the blue line, and based on Adams’ recent words regarding a Levi-Luukkonen tandem, It’s a trade I don’t see occurring, even if many would like it to. Prediction: Stays in Buffalo.
Source: Sabres Have Bolstered Their Roster As Needed by Jacob D. Strozyk, TheHockeyWriters.com