General manager Jarmo Kekalainen is still trying to make that first big trade for the Buffalo Sabres that brings back a superstar. Unfortunately for Kekalainen, it seems that once again he might not be able to get a deal done due to factors outside his control.
Shortly after the news broke that Connor Hellebuyck would be traded to the New Jersey Devils, the Sabres shifted their attention to Dylan Larkin. They, along with the Montreal Canadiens, are two teams that are not on Larkin's trade list and are trying to get on it.
Even though the Sabres aren't on the list, it didn't stop Jarmo Kekalainen from calling Detroit to discuss what it might take to get a trade done. According to Chris Johnston during his podcast on Monday, the Sabres made a pretty big offer for the center.
"I think the Buffalo Sabres made a pretty big offer at one point here in the last few weeks," Johnston said. "They were told basically it's just not something they can do because Larkin isn't waiving to go there."
Julian McKenzie asked Johnston a follow-up about what the offer might be, but the NHL insider didn't disclose the trade package.
Jarmo Kekalainen is trying everything he can to improve this Buffalo Sabres' roster
It has been almost a year since Jarmo Kekalainen has been on the job as general manager, and most of the trades to this point have fallen into the "what if" category. At the trade deadline, he chased Robert Thomas before agreeing to a trade with the St. Louis Blues for Colton Parayko. The only thing standing in the way of that deal was Parayko waiving his no-trade clause, which he elected not to do.
During the offseason, the Sabres got close to a deal for Connor Hellebuyck before the Winnipeg Jets got greedy and asked for too much. It shows that Kekalainen wants to make a trade but isn't going to make a bad trade just to make a trade.
He has shown an ability to get good value, like the move he made with the Chicago Blackhawks that sent them Bowen Byram. The Sabres quickly turned around and added Olen Zellweger, who is off to a tremendous start and looks like a great addition.
The Sabres' general manager isn't afraid to pick up the phone and call about players even when they know they aren't on their trade list, like Larkin. It is a smart move by Kekalainen because right now the Red Wings and Larkin are in a stalemate, and the question is who will blink first. If it is Larkin, and he does expand his trade list, Kekalainen might finally have that blockbuster trade he has been chasing.
There is no question that it is a frustrating pursuit to make a big move but with what the Sabres' general manager has done to this point, it is not a matter of if but when he finally gets that blockbuster trade done.
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