Joel Farabee would be an outstanding young presence in Buffalo
Few youngsters have seen their names thrown around the rumor mill more than Trevor Zegras, but Joel Farabee may clock in at No. 2 on the list. Unlike Zegras and Player No. 3 on this list - a shocker, might I add - Farabee is purely a winger. But he’s a talented one heading into his age-24 season, and as with Zegras, he has multiple seasons left on his current deal.
He struggled through consistency issues this past season, but he still notched a career-high in points and goals with 50 and 22, respectively. Farabee probably isn’t a top-six winger in Buffalo, but he could find himself on a line with whichever “depth center” the Sabres will undoubtedly acquire in the offseason if they didn’t trade for one.
Farabee brings a gritty style worthy of a spot on the third line, and if the Blue and Gold also find the right center, they will be looking at a top-nine with the potential to score at will. Someone like Farabee coming in would increase this team’s odds of being more reminiscent of its 2022-23 selves, so that’s an automatic plus.
Earlier in the year, I also cited Scott Laughton as a potential player for the Sabres to acquire, and he could ultimately be that depth center. Should the Sabres inquire instead about Laughton, then he’s the guy and they’ll likely sign a winger in free agency. If not, someone like Farabee will be more than on the table.