The Sabres and Kevyn Adams waited till the last day of the Trade Deadline to present us with some fireworks. They made four deals today, and five in total before the end of the deadline. Here are the moves the Sabres made that will likely benefit the future of this team in order.
1. Dylan Cozens to the Senators
I think this trade was the best move the Sabres could have made from the deadline, as they sent Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2nd round pick to the Senators for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. The Sabres unloaded Cozens's big contract but took on another hefty one in Josh Norris.
Norris on the season has 20 goals and 13 assists and I think will thrive in Buffalo’s offensive scheme just like he did with Ottawa. They also swapped defensemen, getting Bernard-Docker, and sending Gilbert to the Sens.
Bernard-Docker in 25 games has been solid with one goal and three assists, to go along with a plus-minus of two. I think it's a solid pickup for both teams, the Sabres giving up the extra pick is probably the only thing I don’t like, but we will see how that plays out. Adams is bringing in ready-to-go players to make Buffalo contenders again.
2. Re-signed Jason Zucker
This one is a no-brainer that we are glad happened as the Sabres re-signed Jason Zucker for two more years with an annual cap hit of 4.75 million per year. Zucker took a small pay cut to stay in Buffalo as he wanted to build around this young core. Zucker is having the second-best season of his long career with 18 goals and 26 assists on the season.
Zucker has found himself a nice home on the second line with Alex Tuch, and who we expect to be either Ryan McLeod or Josh Norris next to them for their upcoming games. Zucker has battled a foot injury the last few games, but expect him to pick up where he left off once he returns to the lineup.
3. Henri Jokiharju to the Bruins
Jokiharju getting dealt to the Bruins was an unexpected one to end the deadline. However, the Sabres needed to create some cap space after the Cozens trade and Zucker re-signing. Jokiharju was making over three million as a third-line defenseman which is just way too much and the
Sabres knew it was time to move on.
Not that Jokiharju didn’t do his job, and did it pretty well, but because there were more important guys that needed to be paid. Jokiharju was just the odd man out. He played six full seasons in Buffalo with 19 goals, and 62 assists during his time with the team.
4. Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the Rangers
This is one trade that went unknown on Friday as the Sabres sent Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the Rangers for Erik Bannstrom. Aube-Kubel was looked at as a player who would be on the 4th line for the Sabres this year but has been stuck in Rochester as he is unable to crack the lineup. Instead of letting him stay, the Sabres traded him to the Rangers.
Bannstrom, who they got in return, played the last two seasons in Ottawa averaging about 20 points per season. This year he found himself in Vancouver, totaling eight points before being sent down to the AHL with Abbotsford, and then being acquired by the Rangers and sent to Hartford. Bannstrom will be Gilbert’s replacement as the 7th defenseman, and I think the Sabres got a steal out of it.
5. Re-signed Jordan Greenway
My thoughts on Jordan Greenway haven’t changed, the Sabres re-signed him to a two-year contract extension with an annual cap hit of four million per year. I think it was an overpay as they paid him more money for doing less so far in his time with the Sabres. Greenway could prove me wrong if he can contribute on both sides of the puck, but four million for someone you are going to use as an enforcer, and who is also hurt a good amount is a waste of money. Greenway is the physical threat that the Sabres need, but they overpaid on this one. Hopefully, Greenway can get back on track to end the year, and bring some good energy into next season.
Final Thoughts
I think Kevyn Adams did a pretty good job at the deadline, he addressed some needs for the team and overall improved this team from where it was just a few days ago. It will be interesting to see what Adams does in the offseason, and who he will sign.