While a Stanley Cup would be great, the Buffalo Sabres focus right now is just ending their playoff drought and getting to the playoffs. They have made some good moves this offseason to put themselves in position to do so but it might require some additional work during the season to get over the hump.
One team that could be in need to make a move is the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. They are right up against the salary cap but with the recent news about Matthew Tkachuk and his injury, they don't need to make a move right now as Tkachuk will go on the LTIR.
Once he is ready to return it probably will be a different story and the likely player to be moved is Evan Rodrigues, as noted recently by Frank Seravalli on Bleacher Report, who the Buffalo Sabres know well.
Rodrigues made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2015-16 season and saw his role increase over the next three seasons. He would be traded during the 2019-20 season to the Pittsburgh Penguins and has since had stops with the Colorado Avalanche before joining the Florida Panthers.
Could Evan Rodrigues help the Buffalo Sabres this season?
Rodrigues has been a productive middle-six forward in his career and could help bring some veteran stability to the center position if the Sabres need it at some point during the season. The Sabres have options at the position but there is no guarantee it will work out and if Josh Norris struggles to stay healthy or Jiri Kulich doesn't develop many believe he could, then they may need to make a trade.
Rodrigues could make a lot of sense with his experience but also with a reasonable contract with only two years remaining at an AAV of only $3 million.
If the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in playoff contention, they will need to be aggressive during the season and before the trade deadline to remain in contention and end the playoff drought. The addition of someone like Rodrigues could be the type of move that helps them do that.