The Buffalo Sabres made a huge trade on Tuesday night when they sent Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for two draft picks, including the fourth overall pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier.
It was a great trade that brought back additional draft capital and extra cap space, but it feels like this trade could be judged on what Jarmo Kekalainen does next with those draft picks and cap space. When looking ahead after this trade, these are four players who could be on the move next.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
The Buffalo Sabres have been connected to a few of the top available goalies, whether that is Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency or trading for Connor Hellebuyck, and if that is the case, then the Sabres would have to trade Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. That appears to be the case, according to some reporting by David Pagnotta with The Fourth Period, who tweeted that there is "chatter" around the starting goaltender.
Luukkonen had an excellent regular season with the Sabres and arguably the best of his career. However, he struggled in the playoffs, and the Sabres were seemingly bouncing between him and Alex Lyon through their playoff run. It makes sense that they would explore adding a goalie of Bobrovsky or Hellebuyck caliber to stabilize the position.
For the Sabres, if they go this route, then it shouldn't be too hard to find a trade partner, as there are plenty of teams that could use a starting goalie. Do they include Luukkonen in the trade package to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck? The Florida Panthers need a goalie if Bobrovsky leaves, and of course, there is the Edmonton Oilers, who seemingly need a goalie every season.
Alex Tuch
The Bowen Byram trade created over $10 million in cap space, and it would have stood to reason that this move would give the Sabres enough room to re-sign Alex Tuch. However, shortly after the trade was announced, it was reported that Tuch was still planning on testing free agency, according to Chris Johnston.
Even though Buffalo freed up some cap space with tonight's Bowen Byram trade, early sense is it won't change the direction of talks with pending UFA Alex Tuch.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 24, 2026
Expect Tuch to test the open market.
If that is the case and the Buffalo Sabres are essentially told there is no chance Tuch will re-sign before free agency, then a sign-and-trade has to be on the table for Jarmo Kekalainen. Typically, a sign-and-trade does not bring back much in a trade, but Kekalainen has already shown with the Bowen Byram trade that he knows how to maximize the return, and anything is better than nothing.
Devon Levi
The Buffalo Sabres have now traded three players with this trade and the Michael Kesselring trade from last week this offseason. However, the one player who still feels like a guarantee to be traded this summer is top prospect Devon Levi.
Devon Levi was expected to be the future of the position, but after a full season in the AHL, it doesn't seem that Jarmo Kekalainen and the Sabres saw enough to be confident that he could make the jump to the NHL right now.
Levi falls into the same category as Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen in that seemingly every team needs a goalie right now, but Levi would need to go to a team willing to let him develop. If the St. Louis Blues were to trade Jordan Binnington, and they appear to be heading toward a rebuild, Devon Levi makes sense for them.
Jack Quinn
One other player who could logically be available is forward Jack Quinn, as he falls into the Bowen Byram category of if he is traded by Jarmo Kekalainen, the Sabres' GM is just trying to maximize value. The former first-round pick is under contract for one more year before becoming a restricted free agent.
However, Quinn is coming off a career season with 20 goals and 51 points with another seven points in 13 playoff games. The challenge for Jarmo Kekalainen is that he is looking for a top-line forward, either wing or center, and it is hard to envision that Quinn has that ceiling.
It would make sense that maybe he creates a package of the 20th pick, the newly acquired second-round pick, and Quinn to add a player that is a clear upgrade for their offense. The Buffalo Sabres made a big swing on Tuesday night with Bowen Byram. However, Jarmo Kekalainen appears ready to make more moves, and it should be a busy few days around the NHL.
Add us as a preferred source on Google