Playoffs for the Sabres are like that one cookie at the bottom of the cookie jar, the one that is almost crumbled but not fully destroyed. The Sabres’ current chances at a playoff berth stand at 2.1% and go down with every loss and win by Atlantic foes.
While the season is close to another wasted season by the same front office that traded away the core for prospects, it is time to use some of the capital. They must make a move. A blockbuster move might not revive the dying season for Buffalo, but could give the fans a sense of purpose for going into the next season.
The time is now to make a move even if the Season has gone wrong
Kevyn Adams is future motivated and wants the best for the Sabres. The answer most times with Adams is draft picks and prospects, but it’s time for him to mature a bit and grow into a true GM role and go from rebuilding to contending with his future. Patrik Allvin, the general manager of the Canucks, has a tricky situation in Vancouver. Speculation suggests a rift between JT Miller and Elias Pettersson, possibly linked to Pettersson’s disappointing season after a successful one with Miller, who was on personal leave.
Chris Johnston, an insider for TSN, confirmed that the Canucks are listening to offers for both. The reality of the situation is Pettersson has the most flexibility to get a deal done but inked a new eight-year deal in March, and his no movement clause doesn’t go into effect until the summer. Miller has a full NTC, which makes it hard to move Miller for the best deal. Pettersson at the ripe age of 26 only has a 11.6 cap hit for the rest of his contract.
A contract that is very manageable for the Sabres to take on. Buffalo also has a surplus of prospects that they can use to their disposal and not break the farm system. The Sabres are once again to have a high-overall draft capital in each round, making their draft picks very appealing in a trade.
For Vancouver, who is second in the wild card in the west now GM Allvin will look for an impact player. Could the Sabres be eyeing another one-for-one trade and send Cozens to Vancouver for Pettersson? Time is ticking as playoff teams for sure be looking to add a young 26-year-old to their squad.
Pettersson's impact on Buffalo would be instant
An 11.6 hit for the production that Pettersson can bring. General managers all around would be banging the table, especially towards the deadline, which makes this the right time to bring an instant change to the locker room.
The left-hand shot center is 8th in shooting percentage in Vancouver that would make him fourth on the Sabres among the group of forwards. That shoot first mentality is what the forward group in Buffalo is missing. Pettersson’s game also brings an edge as he has 32 penalty minutes this season, putting him only behind Zach Benson who has drawn the most PIM on the Sabres.
While Pettersson is currently pacing his worst PPG pace since 2020-21, a new scenery with playmakers around him would bring him back-to-back to a point per game pace. Pettersson would also see time on the struggling power play give the team new ideas, and his 6’2 frame can help screen goalies on Thompson’s shots from the circle.
Hometown Connections
Eyes on the 4 Nations Faceoff next month for Sabres fans will be the first time we will see Rasmus Dahlin and Elias Pettersson share the same ice as Swedish teammates. Having another talented star from the same country and someone who can speak the same language can really help and boost a trade as Pettersson could adapt to the team easier.
Not only will the Swedish connection help shipping Cozens closer to his hometown in the Yukon Territory could seal the deal for Buffalo.