The Buffalo Sabres will face a complex financial puzzle this summer, especially if they want to re-sign Alex Tuch to a long-term contract extension, which means general manager Jarmo Kekalainen probably won't be big-game hunting ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
The same can't be said for some of the Sabres' competition in the Atlantic Division race.
RG's Marco D'Amico reported Monday night the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens are among the most aggressive teams in pursuit of St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas ahead of Friday's deadline. The Utah Mammoth are also involved in the discussions.
It's a situation to monitor closely for Kekalainen. The Sabres currently own second place in the Atlantic with 76 points in 60 games but the Wings (76 points in 61 games) and Habs (75 points in 59 games) are right on their heels.
It's a major distinction, too. Second and third in the division will face each other in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while fourth is a wild-card spot that's likely destined for a tough match against either the Tampa Bay Lightning or Carolina Hurricanes.
If Detroit or Montreal can land Thomas, who's scored 344 points (97 goals and 247 assists) in 340 appearances over the past five seasons, it could certainly tip the race in their favor. He's also just 26 and under contract through 2030-31, making it a far more impactful deal than a rental.
We previously looked as the 2024 NHL All-Star selection as a potential target for the Sabres — he'd instantly solve the club's long-term No. 1 center questions amid Josh Norris' endless injury woes — but it doesn't appear there's any real traction to that idea.
So, Kekalainen will instead have to keep close tabs on whether Thomas lands in the Atlantic and, if he does, it's the type of high-profile deal that may require a response from Buffalo.
Why a blockbuster deal is unlikely for the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline
The Sabres have an estimated $14.2 million in available cap space for next season, per PuckPedia. A $6.4 million dead-cap figure stemming from the 2024 Jeff Skinner buyout is a big part of the problem.
Buffalo must decide whether to keep Tuch, which is expected to cost around $10.5 million annually, and then there's the team's other impending free agents: Beck Malenstyn (UFA), Josh Dunne (UFA), Jacob Bryson (UFA), Zach Benson (RFA), Peyton Krebs (RFA), Michael Kesselring (RFA) and Isak Rosen (RFA).
There simply isn't much wiggle room there. Kekalainen should try to attach a draft pick to complete a salary dump on Jordan Greenway ($4 million cap hit) and Jack Quinn ($3.4 million) could be available on the trade market at the right price.
Bigger moves, like a potential deal involving Owen Power ($8.4 million) or Bowen Byram ($6.3 million), will probably have to wait until the summer.
The offseason presents an easier opportunity to make a series of moves to get the cap situation sorted out, and the Skinner buyout figure drops to $2.4 million in 2027-28, so that's an additional $4 million for the front office to work with moving forward after next year.
In the short term, however, there are probably too many financial considerations to bring in a high-value player on a long-term contract.
That's why the rumor mill has been relatively quiet for Buffalo. A reunion with Rasmus Ristolainen is one of the few things being mentioned so far.
The Sabres may make a couple minor deals, likely aimed at an offensive-minded forward and some defensive depth, but those expecting a marquee addition could be left disappointed.
Kekalainen figures to make bolder steps to reshape the roster after the 2025-26 campaign ends.