The Buffalo Sabres want to get back to the playoffs and made moves that tried to achieve that. They did trade away J.J. Peterka but got two players that can contribute right now in Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.
While a trade before the start of the regular season is unlikely, all options will be on the table during the season. Unlike it is an awful start, it is hard to imagine the Sabres being sellers over the first few months.
Recently, there has been two players that have been linked to the Sabres as possible trade targets and in both instance, it is a move that they probably will regret sooner rather than later.
Stuart Skinner
One of the biggest question marks for the Buffalo Sabres this season is in net as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the starter but is coming off a down season. He finished the year with a save percentage of .887 and a goals against average of 3.20. Over the course of the season, UPL had 16 games with a save percentage under 85% which was more than he had in his 96 career starts over the previous four seasons.
It was not the type of performance the Sabres expected after signing him to a five-year deal last summer. That is why a player like Stuart Skinner could make sense on the surface, as the Oilers are a team competing for a Stanley Cup, and goalie is where they probably could use the most improvement.
However, Skinner is essentially in the same situation that UPL is facing, as he is coming off a down season, but not as bad, with a save percentage of .896 and a goals against average of 2.81. For the Sabres though, they need to take into account that Skinner had better skaters in front of him than UPL has had, so it isn't a guarantee that his stats will improve, or even remain the same.
If the Sabres struggle with the goalies they have on the roster, the best way forward is to commit to Devon Levi. This will be the season to find out what they have with Levi instead of trading for a veteran that might not offer much improvement over what UPL brings.
Alexis Lafreniere
While there have not been any official rumors connecting the Buffalo Sabres to Alexis Lafreniere was recently linked as a possible trade target. However, this would be a risk that could set the franchise back and further away from the playoffs.
Lafreniere is a former first overall pick for the New York Rangers and has been productive, but hasn't really lived up to his draft capital. He had double-digit goals his first three seasons in the NHL before setting career highs in goals (28) and assists (29) during the 2023-24 season.
He would sign a seven-year extension early in last season, but then saw his performance regress back to what he did in his first three seasons in the league with 17 goals and 28 assists. There is no question that the potential is there, but with four seasons now with 20 or fewer goals, it raises the question if he will get there.
For the Rangers to consider trading him, the Sabres would have to offer value in line with the potential and not necessarily the production. The Sabres would also be taking on that seven-year contract, which could be an issue down the road if he continues to struggle.
The Sabres certainly could be in the market for a Top 6 forward this season but if they make a trade, it should be for a player they have more confidence in to deliver Top 6 forward production.