One outrageous blockbuster trade the Buffalo Sabres can make with the Wild

There is no question that the Buffalo Sabres will pull off a big trade in the summer of 2024, as no playoff drought should begin toward the end of a formerly former head coach’s stint only to continue into that same head coach's second stint. But here the Sabres are, having gone through six head coaches between the time Lindy Ruff left and ultimately returned to the organization, none of whom managed to take the team to the postseason. 

So, the trade for a top-six talent is a necessity, and I have discussed several in the past, some of which involved youngsters like Joel Farabee and Trevor Zegras and others concerning the experienced Pavel Buchnevich. But let’s have some fun and talk about one player whose name has surprisingly been the subject of trade rumors, and that involves forward Marco Rossi. 

Of course, this is yet another potential trade that would involve general manager Kevyn Adams moving a lot of capital because Rossi is a young, productive player who Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin doesn’t need to make a rash decision on just yet. But, thanks to the Wild boasting a couple of outstanding centers in their prospects pool, mainly Danila Yurov, it could leave Rossi as the odd man out. 

The Buffalo Sabres could pull off a trade for Marco Rossi in the offseason

The Sabres are still young, so dishing off a top prospect who has yet to play in the NHL full-time, plus their 11th overall pick, would make sense here. But if Bill Guerin finds himself fielding offers for Rossi, the aforementioned package would more likely factor in as a starting point, given the center’s productivity in his first full season. 

Rossi played in all 82 games and he scored 21 goals and 40 points, securing a 12.6 shooting percentage amidst 16:44 of average total ice time. He also brought home a possession quality percentage of 4.8 and was on the ice for 45 goals at even strength or 1.5 more than expected, even if he was 2.3 below his xGF in the same situation. But still, it was Year 1 of what will be a successful NHL career for Rossi.

Rossi will turn 23 this year, and if the Sabres traded for him, he would join a lineup that also has forwards like Zach Benson, Dylan Cozens, JJ Peterka, and Jack Quinn, all of whom are also in their early twenties - minus Benson, who is just 19. 

Overall, I would like to see a more established player with more NHL experience in Buffalo, but the long-term potential of Marco Rossi for a 2024 first-round pick, a high-end prospect, and perhaps some lesser assets if the situation calls for it could make this hypothetical trade worthwhile. 

(Statistics powered by Hockey-Reference)