Buffalo Sabres willing to trade one of their most valuable trade chips

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Cooper Godin
June 6, 2024 (11:31)

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The Buffalo Sabres are a team that needs to make a big step forward next season and in order to get some help, they're reportedly willing to part with a key asset.

While on The Jeff Marek Show, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that he's heard the Buffalo Sabres are willing to part with their first round pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft, which is the 11th overall selection.

Friedman says that the Sabres front office, led by General Manager Kevyn Adams, knows that the 2024-25 campaign is a make-or-break year for this group as the organization hasn't reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 13 seasons.

"There's a lot of talk around Buffalo, I think the Sabres front office knows that next year is a make-or-break year for them and that can force you into things" Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show on Wednesday.

There's no question that the Buffalo Sabres have a solid core featuring Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Dylan Cozens, JJ Peterka and Bowen Byram. The team is also set between the pipes with Ukko-Pekka Luukonen and Devon Levi, so an upgrade between the pipes seems unlikely.

On the blueline, the Sabres have a strong group with the aforementioned Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram leading the way, but could use another top-four defenceman, whether that be via trade or when the free agent market opens on July 1st.

As for their forward group, it wouldn't hurt for the Sabres to try an add to their top-six. This past season, the Sabres had five players, including four forward hit the 20 or more goal plateau. Adding another potential 20 or even 30-goal scorer could help put the Sabres in the mix for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Marek wondered on his show on Wednesday if the Sabres could be a fit for the Martin Necas of the Hurricanes, but doesn't believe that they'll have what Carolina wants in a trade.

"I would've normally wondered about a team like the Buffalo Sabres, eventually Buffalo has to turn a lot of the prospects and draft capital into something here, they have a lot of it, but I don't think any of that works for the Carolina Hurricanes" Marek said.

As we approach the draft in a few weeks, it's going to be interesting to keep an eye on this situation with the Buffalo Sabres and their 11th overall pick. They don't appear to be the only team willing to move their first round pick as New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said recently that the 10th overall pick is on the table.

Action on the trade market is expected to puck up in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned to BladeofSteel for all your news leading up to the draft and free agency.