On Thursday, the NFL saw a generational trade occur when the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. These types of trades are really unheard of when factoring in the production Parsons has had to begin his career and the fact that he is still in his prime.
The reason that Parsons was traded was that the two sides could not reach an agreement on a new contract as Parsons was entering the final year of his contract. The NHL could be facing a similar situation this season and if it plays out that way, the Buffalo Sabres should be calling in a move that can completely redefine their franchise.
Connor McDavid's contract negotiations should be watched closely by everyone, including the Buffalo Sabres
Connor McDavid quickly established himself as one of the best players in the NHL and at only 28 years old, still has a lot of great hockey ahead of him. He is currently entering the final year of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers and as long as the contract negotiations go on, the questions will be out there in terms of his future with the Oilers.
Earlier this week, McDavid said that 'all options are on the table' and really that only fuels this idea that he could be playing hockey somewhere other than Edmonton in the near future.
If the Oilers get to a point that they aren't confident they can work out a new deal, the idea of trading him has to be discussed. He is too good to just let him leave in free agency next summer without anything in return.
For the Buffalo Sabres, a team that is desperate to end their playoff drought, the idea of adding a player like McDavid completely changes their outlook moving forward. If there was a situation where they could offer multiple first round picks and young prospects while keeping their core of Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, it vaults them into playoff contention immediately.
It is still a longshot that Connor McDavid doesn't remain with the Edmonton Oilers, and even more unlikely that he ends up in Buffalo, but as the Micah Parsons trade showed anything is possible until a new contract is signed.