As for the Buffalo Sabres, they have not added to the team since the trade for Ryan McLeod earlier in the month. Even though the bottom six had a makeover, everyone is wondering about the top six.
After the regular season concluded, general manager Kevyn Adams did say that improving the top six was a priority. You can close the free agency door as all of the top options were gone when the free agency period began. If Adams does bring someone in, it will have to be via trade.
The question is will Kevyn Adams actually make it happen?
While anything can happen, I'm getting the impression that Adams is buying into his current top six. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn and Zach Benson are the most likely options to be in the top six for Buffalo this season. Barring a trade, it seems like it will be a current player or someone on the Rochester Americans who will be in the Sabres top two lines.
It was a weird season for Buffalo's top six. Whether it was injuries or a down season stats wise, Dylan Cozens was the one who took a step back as he didn't score over 20 goals whereas the year before, he scored over 30. Tage Thompson battled injuries but did look more himself in the second half. With the departure of Jeff Skinner, it seems like Adams is banking on what he has right now.
Granted, anything can happen and a trade could be made. But with all of the good free agents off the board and not much action, I don't see a trade happening in my opinion. It's a gamble if he chooses to stick to his guns, but we know how good the core they have is.