The 2025 NHL Draft is just under two weeks away if you’re reading this article later this evening. As for the Buffalo Sabres, they have a power play and they just don’t know it yet. Or, maybe they do? What’s that power play? The ability to snag the No. 1 pick by making the New York Islanders an irresistible offer.
How is this? Easy. The Sabres will likely trade Bowen Byram, and JJ Peterka may be on his way out the door. That’s two young, up-and-coming players who they can swap with the Islanders, plus the ninth pick, to move up to No. 1 and select either Michael Misa or Matthew Schaefer.
There would likely be other assets involved, as it would be one heck of a risk to trade only for a prospect who’s never touched NHL ice. That said, I could also see the Isles swapping a veteran like Anthony Duclair (should he agree to be moved), who seemed to be out of place on Long Island. This would give the Isles a pair of young, up-and-coming players, and the Blue and Gold could land a future star.
If the Sabres made a blockbuster trade with the Islanders, who are they taking?
Honestly, I’d take Michael Misa and line him up next to Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch - the latter of whom is the least likely I can see the Sabres trading. Put him there, and you still have Ryan McLeod, who proved he’s better than advertised, and Jason Zucker, also better than advertised, on the second line.
At that point, I’m kicking Jiri Kulich out to winger, and he can forge a spot in the top six. Kulich’s someone whose play impressed me last season, and he showed that he could put up 20-plus goals per season, at minimum. I’m excited to see what he can bring in 2025-26.
Then, there’s the third and fourth line, where I’d put Peyton Krebs at center, Zach Benson at wing, and Joshua Norris at wing - interchanging him at center with Krebs. Some may want Norris ahead of Kulich, and if he can stay healthy for once, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.
As for the fourth line, it’d be Beck Malenstyn, Jordan Greenway, and Tyson Kozak, with Sam Lafferty factoring in as the 13th forward while the vet from the Islanders would come in as a utility. And yes, I’m aware that Jack Quinn’s missing, as I wouldn’t mind seeing the Sabres ship him somewhere else, too.
What about the blue line?
Glad you asked. Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power would be my two-way guys on the first and second pairing, respectively. Jacob Bernard-Docker showed enough prowess that he’d be good on the third pairing, at worst, alongside a heavy hitter in Connor Clifton.
Mattias Samuelsson could come in and play lower-second-pairing minutes, while the Sabres heavily invest in a game-changer (Aaron Ekblad, anyone?) to pair with Dahlin and play high-end first-pairing minutes. This is where I’d put a lot of money, and use my cap space.
Jacob Bryson could factor in as the seventh blueliner, or the Sabres can call up Ryan Johnson, and you have a solid team here. Heck, now that I’ve mentioned it, I’d be willing to give the Islanders the house to draft Misa, and plug him in as the centerpiece of this lineup. Jack Quinn, maybe…
Is it a long shot? Absolutely, since there’s a good chance the Isles hang onto the pick and use it on either Schaefer or Misa. But the Sabres would likely get an immediate contributor and a franchise-changing player if they can pull off such a move.
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