The Buffalo Sabres are coming off their best season in 14 years, and fans expect them to be very active in the offseason. Their first test of the summer will come next weekend at the NHL draft.
The Sabres currently hold the 20th overall pick after acquiring it from the San Jose Sharks for Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick. It would be in the best interest of the team to trade out of the first round in exchange for a veteran player who can be an immediate help.
Sabres Could Use More Veteran Presence
Buffalo is one of the youngest teams in the league, with an average age of 27.06. Given the likelihood of losing Alex Tuch in free agency, they’re going to get even younger, putting them in desperate need of veteran players who can act as leaders.
In the past five drafts, the Sabres have had eight first-round picks. The last thing they need is another young player who will take years to develop.
Veteran players correlate with deep playoff runs, whereas drafting another 18-year-old won’t help them any time soon. The two conference champions this season, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes, built their teams through free agency and trades. The same could be said for the Florida Panthers, who won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.
Who Should The Sabres Trade For?
There’s no question that the Sabres should look into trading their first-round pick, but the question is who they should trade for?
The Sabres need to address their goaltending situation this season, as tenders Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon were both inconsistent at times last season, especially in the playoffs.
Goaltenders like Connor Hellybuck, Jesper Wallstedt, and Juuse Saros have all been rumored to be traded this season. Making a splash for one of those guys is exactly what Buffalo needs. Acquiring a proven goaltender who can start the majority of the games won’t only make them contenders for a deep playoff run, but also contenders for the cup.
Other options are Brady Tkachuk and Vincent Trocheck. Both guys excel on the offensive side of the game, but also give the grit and toughness that the Sabres are in need of.
Realistically, Buffalo will keep the pick, but the NHL knows General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen to be aggressive. If he wants to show the Sabrehood what he’s capable of, he should trade the pick and bring in a game-changer.
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