Jarmo Kekalainen has a reputation of being an aggressive general manager, but he hasn't shown that trait quite yet with the Buffalo Sabres. However, that could be changing this week, especially with the rumors coming out about a potential Robert Thomas trade.
Among the players rumored to be available at the trade deadline, there might not be a better player than Robert Thomas. The former first-round pick has played in over 500 career NHL games and is only 26 years old. He has been incredibly productive recently with back-to-back 80+ point seasons and is below that pace this season with 35 points in 43 games, but that is due more to injuries than anything.
The Buffalo Sabres were not expected to be involved in any big trades and reportedly focused on more depth. However, that seemingly changed on Tuesday as Darren Dreger dropped a report that talks between the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues "are heating up" for Thomas.
GM’s are describing the NHL landscape as a “buyers market”. Tons of players in play. Keep an eye on the Buffalo Sabres. Sources say talks between Buffalo and St Louis involving Robert Thomas are heating up.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 3, 2026
The report was seemingly confirmed by The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun with the always ominous double-eye emoji.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 3, 2026
Robert Thomas reportedly has not been approached yet about waiving his no-trade clause to complete a trade to the Buffalo Sabres
While reports are that trade talks are heating up, it doesn't seem like anything is close quite yet, as Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic tweeted that Thomas hasn't been approached yet about waiving his no-trade clause.
Thomas has not been asked yet to waive his NTC to Buffalo. #stlblues https://t.co/qtQjroigm9
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 3, 2026
Thomas signed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8.125 million during the 2022 offseason that kicked in for the 2023-24 season. This season is the first with a no-trade clause part of his contract, which is why the Blues will need him to waive that for any trade to happen.
The news that the Sabres are getting in the Robert Thomas sweepstakes is interesting and could have a big impact on the Atlantic Division race. It was reported recently that the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings are also interested in Thomas, and the Sabres are competing directly with both of those teams right now in the standings.
If the Sabres were somehow to complete the trade for Thomas, it not only helps their playoff chances but would limit what the other teams they are competing with can do. It should be a busy few days around the league and the Buffalo Sabres now seem ready to make some noise ahead of Friday's deadline.