3 recently traded pending free agents who would ignite the Buffalo Sabres in 2024-25
The Buffalo Sabres need to make a major splash in NHL free agency, and perhaps recently traded players could be the answer for the Blue and Gold.
The Buffalo Sabres can go in many directions to improve what was a lackluster group last season, and you can argue they took the first step a few weeks back when they brought Lindy Ruff in for another stint as head coach. Although the current lineup hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as it has been in the past, it still isn’t built to be a surefire contender, and perhaps a few players on expiring deals that moved at the March trade deadline could be the answers.
They may not stick around long-term, as two of the three players mentioned are well into their 30s. But right now, the Blue and Gold need proven talent to at least let them fight with division rivals like the Detroit Red Wings and teams from the Metropolitan like the Pittsburgh Penguins and perhaps the Philadelphia Flyers.
You know Pittsburgh will be making moves to build around an aging core, and Philadelphia should be looking to make another signing or two so that next season ends in a playoff berth. The “Yzerplan” over in the Motor City made significant strides this past season, and you can expect the same next year. Now, it’s the Sabres turn.
Adam Henrique could fuel the lower lines for Buffalo
A line featuring Adam Henrique, Zach Benson, and perhaps someone like Jiri Kulich or Isak Rosen would be magnificent for the Sabres. You would have two very young players flanking someone going through their age-34 season, and that alone would make even a one-year agreement with the veteran worth the Sabres while.
Despite Benson’s small size and age, he surprised many with gritty play this past season. And to add another forward in Henrique who brings even more physical play would also result in a big win for the Sabres. Henrique and Benson would help to solidify a strong third line, while Buffalo potentially promotes another to play wing on the other end.
You may be asking where this leaves Jordan Greenway, but in this scenario, he would drop to the fourth line. Peyton Krebs would play center if he returns for another two or three seasons, and that would leave the other wing position open. Zemgus Girgensons could return and play the position, or the Sabres could instead look toward free agency or into their prospects pool for the final puzzle piece.
Sean Walker would make a great partner for Owen Power, others
Should general manager Kevyn Adams find a way to convince Sean Walker to call the Eastern Conference home again, pairing him with Owen Power would be a great strategy to parlay that of a former first-overall pick who must make a leap next season. While there are a lot of young blueliners that Power could fare well playing alongside, Walker’s veteran presence and ability to play top-four minutes would fit better than anyone else.
But, notice that the subheading above said: “Owen Power, others.” This means Power wouldn’t be the only youngster to benefit from one of the league’s better blueliners. Perhaps Walker signs with the Sabres in this scenario, pairs with Power for a while, then lines up alongside other young players like Ryan Johnson and Bowen Byram.
The only real concern here would be another potential logjam in the rotation that Kevyn Adams dealt with last offseason when he signed Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson (has since been traded). We also need to remember Mattias Samuelsson will be back, so if a move like this were to happen, every pending restricted free agent on the blue line this summer won’t return.
There would also be a real chance Adams would try to move someone - most likely Clifton - in such a scenario. While signing a player like Walker, assuming he doesn’t stay in Denver, would be a great move, the logistics wouldn’t be so easy.
Vladimir Tarasenko would weaken a division rival
This would be another case where the Sabres roll with a veteran who wouldn’t be on board long, but they would still bring value. Much like Adam Henrique, Vladimir Tarasenko would add more physical play, but as a winger instead of a center and also more likely on the third line.
Sure, this would raise the question over who would play center, though we know it would be either a call-up, like Jiri Kulich or Matt Savoie, or if Kevyn Adams brought someone in from the outside. Also, like Henrique, Tarasenko would be in the City of Good Neighbors as a depth scorer, something we could even see from Zach Benson and the Mystery Center in such a scenario.
Whether it’s someone like Henrique or Tarasenko whom Adams targets in the summer or someone equivalent - remember, the theme here is about players who were recently traded, so there are a lot of equivalent players out there - having a strong, high-scoring top-nine is a real possibility with the Blue and Gold.
This is assuming head coach Lindy Ruff manages to return the top-six to form and keeps those like JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn playing at a high level. Either way, there are plenty of benefits to adding someone like Tarasenko to the wing, or Henrique to play center.
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