The Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a stellar draft and they made a splash in free agency this year. But what else can you still expect before the preseason?
We still have another two solid months to go in the offseason before we start counting down to the Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 campaign. Therefore, you can expect the Blue and Gold to make a few more moves between now and mid-September, when training camps are on the verge of commencing.
And while it’s true the Sabres and most NHL rosters are already set, shaping and looking to improve them is a never-ending story. So what can you expect during the latter half of the offseason? Here is a rundown of three topics that jump out.
What you can still expect in Buffalo Sabres 2023 offseason
1 – Trade rumors that will never come into fruition
You can expect the trade rumors to continue, at least until Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson, and Brett Pesce land somewhere, and it was something I discussed earlier in the week. But given general manager Kevyn Adams’ moves to address the blue line and to extend his confidence in the Levi-Luukkonen duo, it would be shocking if he pulled off any big trade at this point.
Trade rumors bring excitement to fans, and don’t get me wrong, having someone like Pesce in the lineup would be cool. But as I implied last night, pulling off these big trades just aren’t necessary, given the strides the Sabres made last season, and the offseason moves they already made.
2 – A pair of contract extensions
Yes, you will see Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power sign their eventual extensions. It’s just a matter of when, and at the latest, they will occur shortly before the season begins in mid-October at the latest.
However, you can expect both former first overall picks to ink their respective deals sooner than later, and the hold-up is likely nothing more than a few minor issues, if there is even a hold-up at all. What’s not to say that the Buffalo Sabres are close to agreeing to terms with Dahlin’s and Power’s respective representation?
3 – Trades that will actually happen
You shouldn’t expect any major blockbusters to occur, but that’s okay, as Adams has more than prepared this team to enjoy a big 2023-24 season. And it was something that really started last year when he brought in Jordan Greenway. But if you look at the Sabres roster, there is a logjam unlike any other, yet it’s nothing a few simple trades won’t remedy.
Look for Buffalo to deal Jacob Bryson, Henri Jokiharju, and Victor Olofsson, all of whom can, whether you believe it or not, provide service to another team. Bryson and Jokiharju are still young enough for developing teams to take an interest in them, while Olofsson’s ability to score would naturally draw interest.
Source: Where are the contract extensions for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power? by Ian McLaren, WGRZ.com