With the trade deadline fast approaching us, the Buffalo Sabres are most likely to be sellers once again as they are at the bottom of a very competitive Eastern Conference. The Sabres have been competitive this year, but still need to make some moves going forward if they want the chance to be a playoff team for the next few years, and end their playoff drought. Here are some of the trades they can make to turn things around in the future.
Jason Zucker returns home to Minnesota
Jason Zucker has been a great piece for the Sabres this season as his veteran presence has amassed 16 goals and 20 assists in 47 games with the Sabres. Zucker signed a one-year, five-million-dollar contract this offseason, and will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Zucker will likely not re-sign this offseason, and a perfect landing place would be Minnesota. Zucker spent his first nine seasons in Minnesota, and after news broke out yesterday that Kirill Kaprizov will be out another month, Zucker is the perfect replacement. He knows the system well, and the Sabres can get a nice deal for him. A third-round pick and Carson Lambos would be a good deal for both teams. The Sabres can use the pick in other trades, and get a good defensive prospect in Lambos. The 22-year-old Lambos plays for the Iowa Wild in the AHL and has three goals, four assists, and a plus-minus of two on an Iowa team that has struggled this year. Lambos can serve time with Rochester Americans, the Sabres AHL team before heading to Buffalo where he can be a solid reserve/third-line defenseman.
Connor Clifton goes to the Metro with Columbus
Connor Clifton has been a good addition for the Sabres where he signed a three-year deal after spending five years with the Boston Bruins. Clifton during his time in Buffalo has amassed four goals, and 22 assists for a total of 26 points. Clifton has also posted a plus-minus of 14, which has led Sabres defencemen during that time. Clifton is already making 3.3 million this year and likely could sign a bigger contract extension in the offseason. The Sabres will have an estimated six million in cap space this offseason, assuming the cap doesn’t rise. Columbus would be a great place for Clifton as they have struggled on the defensive end this year, letting up 3.5 goals per game. As they fight for a playoff spot, Clifton is the veteran presence they need for a playoff push. The Sabres could send Clifton and a 5th-round pick for Yegor Chinakov. Chinakov is a young talent on the Blue Jackets whose skills are being overshadowed by other big names and top prospects such as Kirill Marchenko and Luca Del Bel Belluz. Chinakov would be a great fit on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Peyton Krebs. Chinakov is only a two-million-dollar cap hit, which is less than what Clifton makes currently, and they will have Chinakov for the 25-26 season as well until he is a free agent.
Jack Quinn goes out west to Anaheim
Jack Quinn had a breakout year for the Sabres in the 22-23 season, putting up 37 points with 14 goals. However, since then, Quinn has struggled and been injured with a ruptured Achilles last season. This season he has yet to eclipse 20 points in his 43 games and has been a defensive liability with a plus-minus of -16. A good reset for Quinn would be in Anaheim. Anaheim struggles offensively and Quinn could be a perfect third-line fit next to Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier, as he can improve the bottom lines of their offense which haven’t produced this season. The Sabres would also send a 3rd round pick and 4th round pick to the Ducks and in return get Jackson Lacombe. The Ducks are a defense-oriented team with solid prospects sitting in their reserves and in the AHL currently. So they can afford to give up Lacombe who has been a solid piece in Anaheim. The Sabres need more stay-at-home defencemen such as Lacombe and he could fit very nicely on the second line next to Owen Power. Lacombe also has a 900k cap hit for the next two seasons which is good for a Sabres team trying to stay under the cap. Lacombe has been solid with nine goals and 14 assists this season, which are both going to be career highs for the 24-year-old at the end of the season. Lacombe also plays in front of John Gibson and Lucas Dostal who are both solid goaltenders, and playing in front of Ukka Pekka Luukkonen will be no different. The price could be a little higher for Lacombe then what I offered, as he has slid to the first pairing in Anaheim. However, this is a deal I would try to make for a young defenseman already playing above his ceiling who can boost the Sabres' defense.