Henri Jokiharju has spent his last six seasons in a Sabres uniform but the time for that may be dwindling. The biggest battle for the Sabres I have stressed all season is their salary cap issues and the players they have to re-sign at the end of the year. The Sabres have a lot of money invested in their defense, they have to resign Bowen Byram in the offseason which could cost around five million per season. They also have to resign guys like Jacob Bryson and Dennis Gilbert. They may also be stuck with contracts like Mattias Samuelsson, who is a four million cap hit every year for an injured defenseman. Jokiharju is a third-line defenseman making over three million a year, which is way too much for someone who is getting fewer reps. I think the Sabres need to invest and move on from Jokiharju at the Trade Deadline and continue to shed cap space. These are the three best landing spots for Jokiharju if the Sabres trade him.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks need another defenseman as they make their playoff push in the Western Conference. They have been disappointing this year as they went from competing for the President’s Trophy to being a borderline playoff team. Jokiharju would improve their defensive issues and the Canucks could use him on the second line where he can compete for minutes with Tyler Myers, or stick him on the third line. The Sabres in this scenario would get a 4th round pick and a prospect from the Canucks like Jett Woo. Woo has been in the Canucks organization now for four years and continues to put up great numbers as he has 70+ points in four seasons, and a plus-minus of +17. Woo is also a small-cap hit and can play in Rochester before eventually being a call-up with the Sabres.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks would be a quick fit for Jokiharju as he goes back to the team that drafted him. The Blackhawks signed a lot of veterans in the offseason such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Pat Maroon, Alec Martinez, and TJ Brodie. I think they could add another defenseman, and add Jokiharju to their 2nd or 3rd line. Once the year ends, they could choose to re-sign him or let him go to a team that will pay him in free agency. This trade is short and simple, the Sabres would get 4th and 6th round picks as this trade is simply a salary dump for the Sabres. However, the purpose of these picks is to use them in future trades, as the Sabres trade for better players and more depth.
Washington Capitals
Washington has been the biggest surprise in the NHL this season as this was a team that was projected to miss out on the playoffs, and they are currently one of the best teams in hockey. Jokiharju would be a great addition to their defense and could fight for minutes on either the 2nd and 3rd line or be a reserve for the playoffs. Jokiharju would pair well with Jakob Chychrun or Matt Roy on either line and cement the Capitals as the top team in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres would get a 3rd round pick and a top prospect like Alexander Suzdalev. Suzdalev did well in the ECHL this year with the South Carolina Stingrays as he had 27 points in 30 games with a plus-minus of +13 before being called up to the AHL with the Hershey Bears. Suzdalev has only played three games with Hershey, so it will take him some time to get going. If Suzdalev gets to play in Rochester with their current offense, I have no doubt he would excel in that system and could one day be in Buffalo.