This is one of the most important offseasons in Buffalo Sabres history. After shocking the hockey world and breaking their 14-season playoff drought, this offseason is the opportunity to help them take the next step. This offseason got even more hype when the Sabers made a trade with the San Jose Sharks, which involved them moving up to the 20th overall pick. This has fueled speculation and has everyone wondering what they are planning.
One of the questions people are asking is, what type of prospect will the Sabres be targeting? Are they looking for someone who will help the team in the future? The type of player with a high ceiling that will take a few years to develop, but could be a cornerstone piece. Or will they target someone with a high floor that could make an impact soon? If the Sabres want to build off of last year's success, they should target a player who can be in the NHL within the next few seasons.
Sabres should look for someone who can help the team next season
One of the biggest reasons the Sabres should target an NHL-ready prospect is their cap situation. Going into this offseason, they have just under $12 million in cap space—the 11th fewest in the league. With key players like Alex Tuch and Beck Malenstyn set to be free agents, and with the need to upgrade the center position, they need to save as much money as possible. Their current cap space may not be enough to make all the moves they want to make.
Drafting a player who can make an impact at the NHL level within the next couple of seasons will be a major help to the Sabres. They can put a veteran making the league minimum in that spot as a placeholder until the prospect is ready to go. It is exactly what the Sabres need. This will allow them to allocate the remaining cap space to other areas of the team. Making it a little easier for the Sabres' front office to make moves and remain a contender.
The only problem is that getting close to NHL-ready is easier said than done. At pick 20, most of the players there are long-term development players who need more than three years to make the league. That being said, there are a few guys the Sabres can target. The first is Mathis Preston. He has an NHL-ready shot and is a tremendous skater. He should be ready for the NHL in two seasons and can be someone who slides right into the Sabres' top six.
Another player that the Sabres could target is Tommy Bleyl. He is one of the better right-handed defensemen in this year's draft. This past season, he registered 81 points with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. This would fill a major need, as the Sabers need another right-handed defenseman. If Bleyl can improve his defense, he should be able to make the Sabres lineup within the next couple of seasons.
If the Sabres want to get this offseason off to a good start, they need to bring in someone who can make it in the NHL in the next few seasons. It will be a big step in helping the Sabres sustain success.
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