The Buffalo Sabres aren’t the only NHL team suffering a recent losing streak. After the New York Rangers fell to 1-6-0 in their previous seven games, Rangers’ GM and former Sabre Chris Drury decided to shake things up.
Drury recently sent a memo to other GMs offering to trade forward Chris Kreider and defenseman Jacob Trouba. He’s also probably most open to a deal for right winger Kaapo Kakko. Let’s look at all three players and what they could bring to Buffalo, if Sabres’ GM Kevyn Adams traded for any of them.
Chris Kreider
New York left winger Chris Kreider is two months into his 13th NHL season. Kreider is a reliable, experienced, high-scoring forward who would bring a veteran presence and strong offensive production to any roster. During his past two seasons with the Rangers, Kreider's numbers were an impressive 39-36-75 and 36-18-54, respectively. 2023-24 was statistically Kreider’s second-best hockey year to date.
While he’s nearing the end of his career at 33, No. 20 has at least a few more seasons left. Trading for Kreider would bring a top or middle-six forward the Blue and Gold could use. Buffalo has had trouble scoring goals, including suffering two recent shutouts. Kreider knows how to find the back of the net and Adams would be wise to try to make a trade for him, even if he couldn’t finalize it immediately.
Jacob Trouba
Rangers’ D-man Jacob Trouba has been in the NHL almost as long as Kreider, with six seasons in Winnipeg before coming to New York City. The Sabres could use another experienced defenseman and Trouba fits the bill. The 6-foot-3 Trouba plays a physical game and had 183 blocks and 191 hits in 2023-24, as well as 73 penalty minutes.
No. 8 would fit in well on the Sabres’ second defensive pairing, especially since Owen Power hasn’t been that tough recently and Henri Jokiharju is a potential trade candidate. The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly interested in Jokiharju and a three-way trade between the Rangers, Sabres, and Oilers or just the Rangers and Sabres to swap Jokiharju for Trouba would shore up Buffalo’s’ weak defense.
Kaapo Kakko
New York right winger Kaapo Kakko is the one player it’s likely the easiest for Buffalo to acquire. Kakko isn't the highest-scoring forward on the Blue Shirts’ roster. However, his 13-6-19 record last year is not an NHL-worst.
For example, Sabres’ center Peyton Krebs only scored 4 goals and had just 13 assists last season and Krebs regularly plays on Buffalo’s second, third or fourth line. A trade for Kakko would bring another veteran player who could step in and help out on offense even though he’s not a top-scoring forward.