Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is leaving no stone unturned as he attempts to transform the franchise into a perennial Stanley Cup contenders.
Kekalainen already traded away defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Alex Tuch, two key pieces from the roster that helped Buffalo end the longest playoff drought in NHL history (14 years), and now the focus will likely shift toward bringing in bona fide NHL talent.
RG's Marco D'Amico reported Wednesday the Sabres "had conversations" with the New York Rangers about a potential deal for center Vincent Trocheck but no agreement is imminent.
Trocheck has posted 253 points (89 goals and 164 assists) in 313 appearances across four seasons with the Rangers. The 32-year-old Pittsburgh native previously made stops with the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes as part of a 13-year NHL career.
Buffalo has been in the market for a potential first-line center because of ongoing durability concerns with Josh Norris. Jiri Kulich, who was another candidate to fill that key role in 2025-26, missed a vast majority of the campaign because of a blood clot.
It's unclear whether Trocheck, who was on the Team USA roster with the Sabres' Tage Thompson that captured a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, is still capable of filling that top-line spot at this point in his career. That said, he's only two seasons removed from scoring 77 points in 82 games.
It doesn't sound like Buffalo and New York traveled far down the road of a possible trade, but it wouldn't be cheap. Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported the Blueshirts' asking price is a roster player, a prospect and a first-round draft pick.
The Sabres do have a pair of selections in the opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft, the No. 4 choice from the Byram trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and the No. 20 pick from a trade up that sent defenseman Michael Kesselring to the San Jose Sharks.
So, if the clubs circle back on the discussions, the basis for a package could be there.
Buffalo Sabres also rumored to have trade interest in Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck
Trocheck apparently isn't the only big fish on the trade market the Sabres are considering.
They are one of three NHL teams, along with the Atlantic Division rival Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, who've checked in with the Jets about four-time All-Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, according to D'Amico.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner is coming off a down year (.895 save percentage in 57 starts) for a Winnipeg squad that fell way short of expectations.
Hellebuyck's track record puts him safely on a path toward the Hockey Hall of Fame, though. His list of accolades also includes a Hart Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player and two Jennings Trophies. He owns a terrific .916 career SV%.
Whether Buffalo is willing to give up a multitude of prime assets for a 33-year-old netminder is up for debate, though.
The Sabres already have three goalies on their active roster (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis) and they'll likely have to trade promising prospect Devon Levi, who's ready for an NHL opportunity after three years with the AHL's Rochester Americans.
Hellebuyck also carries an $8.5 million AAV through the 2030-31 season, which adds to the risk of trading for an over-30 goaltender coming of an underwhelming campaign.
Everything would depend on the package Winnipeg is seeking for the American, who was also a member of Team USA with Trocheck and Thompson at the Winter Games in February.
Although there's been some discussion a deal could center around the No. 4 pick in Friday night's opening round, that feels a bit rich. If the Jets are open to the idea of using the No. 20 selection as the cornerstone piece, the sides may have a little bit more common ground to work on.
The Sabres would likely have to include UPL, who posted a .909 SV% during the regular season before struggling in the playoffs (.876 SV%), in any package for financial reasons. The question is how much more would be necessary beyond Luukkonen and the No. 20 draft choice.
Kekalainen must also maintain salary-cap space to re-sign standout RFA winger Zach Benson as well as to find a top-six forward and second-pair defenseman.
All told, it's obvious there's a lot of action behind the scenes right now for the Buffalo front office, and the conversations should intensify with the team's cap picture now looking a little more clear.
It wouldn't be a shock to see Kekalainen pull off another blockbuster trade before the end of the draft, which is taking place at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, on Saturday.
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