Sabre Noise
Fansided

The Sabres' failure to trade the 9th overall pick could be a long-term disaster

With the Sabres having limited room in their prospect rooms and needing to acquire a big free agent, trading the ninth overall pick is the best solution.
ByZackary Laware|
Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Konsta Helenius is selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Konsta Helenius is selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Sabres have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to the NHL draft in just a few weeks. We have published our fair share of draft articles and content here on Sabre Noise, but I believe the best option is for the Sabres to trade the ninth overall pick, and here's why.

With the current team the Sabres have, this is their best chance at a playoff spot in the last couple of years. If they want to bring in a big market player, the ninth pick will have to be part of that trade. The Sabres also have three different players on the trade block currently, and I think they are going to have to replace at least one of them.

The Sabres' prospect pool is one of the best in the NHL, and the room to make it to the next level is slim. They are running out of places to go once they look ready to move on from the Rochester Americans.

Jiri Kulich had a successful stint in the AHL, claiming a full-time roster spot in 2024-25. Devon Levi has been phenomenal at the AHL level and looks ready to stay at the NHL level. Not to mention, Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund, and Konsta Helenius all look ready as well.

The Sabres need a big move and need it now

Kevyn Adams demonstrated that taking a swing can work out when he dealt top prospect Matt Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers for Ryan McLeod. The Sabres face more issues with players not wanting to come here, per their no-trade clauses in their contracts, making some trades simply not possible. But the ones that are on the table need to be pursued, and pursued heavily.

With the rumors that players like J.J. Peterka, Bowen Byram, and Alex Tuch, among others, are unhappy with the direction of the team and may want out. Making a move would go a long way toward showing the key players on this team that management is invested in making a difference.

The future won’t look good for the Sabres if a big move isn’t made again this offseason, players are getting frustrated, and the team continues to lose year after year. With some key players on expiring contracts next year, the Sabres need to find a way to improve this team, and that starts with trading the ninth overall pick for current talent.

Home/Sabres News