A Linus Ullmark-Devon Levi tandem would be epic
Linus Ullmark still has another year on his deal, so this one would require a trade. Ideally, the Sabres would keep Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and sign him to a long-term contract, but thanks to the next player listed, you will soon know why Ullmark would make for a great stopgap and for a reasonable salary.
Ullmark has a modified no-trade clause, so that could be an issue if the Sabres are on his 15-team list for 2024-25. It would be an easy move back to Buffalo if the Blue and Gold weren’t on the brink of their 13th-straight season without a playoff berth, but that isn’t the case, and it would be a tough sell to bring back the former Vezina Trophy winner.
But the Sabres are no longer getting younger, and with “playoffs or bust” the likely scenario, a sense of urgency will be mounting in the Queen City. That alone could sway Ullmark, and it’s not like the Bruins were keen on keeping him in town near the trade deadline.
So, what’s not to say Ullmark wouldn’t gladly accept a trade that would bring him back to Buffalo, where he would have a chance to play (and beat) the Bruins often? Such a move would involve the Sabres opting not to bring back Luukkonen, so the chances of this happening are currently slim.
But it would be fun to see Ullmark back in a Sabres uniform with his old team to take on and beat his most recent former team on multiple occasions while helping the Blue and Gold finally return to the playoffs.