The NHL Trade Deadline is one week away, and the Buffalo Sabres' front office is working the phones, trying to find moves that can help their playoff chances. When looking at the roster, the one spot that is probably the most pressing is depth on the blue line.
The Sabres have dealt with a number of injuries at the position, with players like Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins missing extended time. While Kesselring has returned, and Timmins hopefully is close to being back, adding another defenseman could be smart because it is clear, based on ice time over the past 10 games, that Lindy Ruff doesn't want to rely too much on Zach Metsa or Jacob Bryson.
When considering that there have also been reports that the Sabres want to add a 'beefier defenseman', it seems pretty clear who they might be targeting before March 6th. These are four players who fit that description who are reportedly available in a trade.
4 defensemen the Buffalo Sabres could target to beef up the defense before NHL Trade Deadline
Tyler Myers
If the Buffalo Sabres want to get a big defenseman to add to this group, there may not be a bigger one available than Vancouver Canucks' defenseman Tyler Myers. The former Sabres' defenseman has been rumored to be considering a trade that the Canucks presented to him due to the fact that he has a no-trade clause.
There might not be a better fit for the Sabres for the need they have, as Myers knows Buffalo, played for Lindy Ruff early in his career, and has a reasonable cap hit of only $3 million with one more year on his contract after this season.
Even at 36 years old, he is still averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game and could step into a bigger role if there is an injury or allow the Sabres to spread out the workload more evenly across the three pairs.
Logan Stanley
If Tyler Myers won't waive his no-trade clause to come to Buffalo, the Sabres should look to pivot to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley, who is reportedly available, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. He certainly fits the profile that the Sabres are looking for, as he is 6'7" and 231 pounds.
Through 56 games this season, Stanley has averaged 16:43 of ice time and has been a physical presence in the defensive zone with 93 hits and 68 blocked shots. However, he also has shown an offensive touch that hasn't been there in his career, with nine goals already (he had only five in the previous five seasons) and nine assists.
Stanley is also a player who has a very attractive contract, as he is in the final year of his deal and has an AAV of only $1.25 million. It is a move that the Buffalo Sabres wouldn't have to worry about creating much cap space to get done.
Luke Schenn
Luke Schenn is currently in his second season with the Winnipeg Jets, and a teammate of Stanley, who Pagnotta also listed as being available at the trade deadline.
He has played in 43 games this season with seven points and an average ice time of 13:44, and if the Sabres are looking with someone who would bring physicality to the blue line, Schenn certainly would do that with 133 hits this season and a career average of almost four hits per game.
He is an older player similar to Myers, as he is also 36 years old and would probably be better as an upgrade to the seventh defenseman spot, who can rotate in on that third pair. However, he also has a reasonable AAV of only $2.75 million and is a trade that probably wouldn't cost the Sabres much to get done.
Connor Murphy
The final defenseman on this list is the Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Murphy, who was recently called a 'perfect fit' for what the Sabres need on their blue line. Murphy has played in 57 games this season with an average ice time of 16:30, with 12 points and a +/- of -5.
Similar to the other players on this list, there wouldn't be any financial commitment past this season, as he is in the final year of his contract and has an AAV of $4.4 million. Murphy, though, could have some control over whether or not he comes to Buffalo, as he does have a modified no-trade clause that includes 10 teams.
Any of the four players on this list would be an upgrade for what the Buffalo Sabres have and help solidify their blue line. It would give them size at the position while also some insurance in case there is injuries they have to deal with down the stretch.