Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Trade Tiers – Pre-Draft Edition

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The Buffalo Sabres are open for business. 

Kevyn Adams hasn’t been shy expressing his desire to inject talent into Buffalo’s roster and in addition to the 11th overall pick, it appears that he is prepared to include either players or prospects into an offer that brings back significant talent. Last fall, there was some expectation that Adams would take a stab at a significant trade, and in anticipation of that, we put together this list of trade tiers for Buffalo’s players and prospects. With it seeming nearly inevitable that Adams will pull the trigger on a deal in the next week, it was high time to revisit those trade tiers.

This list will differ a bit from the version in the fall as the Sabres still have several unsigned restricted and unrestricted free agents. Most of the team’s UFAs are of little consequence in trade discussions, so they wouldn’t have made this list anyway. But the RFAs remained, with some exceptions, as they still have value in a trade. I have also left draft picks off this list since, theoretically, they’re all readily available to be dealt at any moment. So this list will focus solely on Buffalo’s prospects and roster players. 

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Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Jeff Skinner Buyout

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Debate over using a buyout on Jeff Skinner has simmered for a few months. Skinner’s usage declined as the season wrapped up as did his production. As a result, some consideration over parting ways has been a topic of conversation going back to early spring.

Things changed on Tuesday, June 18 when a clip of Elliotte Friedman on The Jeff Marek Show was shared online in which Friedman reported that a buyout is a possibility. 

Friedman’s report will significantly increase the heat around Skinner’s situation. It’s no secret the Sabres are desperate to break their playoff drought. Kevyn Adams has hung a for sale sign on the 11th overall pick and there is an expectation that he will be aggressive this summer. Skinner is a complicating factor to any attempts to make significant changes to the Buffalo lineup. Not only does his $9 million cap hit account for over 10% of Buffalo’s cap, but his decline in production came, in part, with his move down the lineup this past spring. It’s a very difficult proposition to manage a $9 million cap hit if the player is only going to be effective in a top six role. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.42 – GM Mode (Tyler’s Version)

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The days of trades and free agency are almost upon us so Tyler and Chris decided to try their hands at some GM work. In this episode, Tyler offers up his approach to Buffalo’s offseason and the way he’d reshape the roster if he occupied Kevyn Adams’ office. Next week, Chris tries his hand at the practice. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.40 – Weighing Brady Tkachuk’s Value

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There’s been a lot of smoke surrounding Brady Tkachuk over the last few weeks. We dig into Tkachuk as a trade target and compare the public’s percieved value of Tkachuk versus what he should probably be traded for, if he’s traded at all. We also touch on the Sabres decision to not tender entry level contracts to three prospects, including Mats Lindgren and offer up a preview of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton. 

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Pinpointing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s Contract

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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needs a new contract this offseason and after an impressive campaign in which he solidified himself as Buffalo’s starting goaltender, he’s on track to receive a healthy raise and more term than the two-year deal he just completed. 

Luukkonen and Jeremy Swayman will be the two most notable RFA goaltenders to track this offseason. Swayman will be coming off a one-year, $3.475 million deal and will be in line for a substantial raise as he too has taken over the starting duties. Swayman could garner a contract north of $6 million a year, especially after his playoff heroics. Luukkonen doesn’t have the same track record as Swayman and won’t be flirting with the upper echelon of goaltender salaries. But he is still set to see a substantial pay increase. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.39 – What is Jeff Skinner’s Future in Buffalo?

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Jeff Skinner’s contract makes him a popular target for roster speculation. We use this episode to discuss what Skinner’s future in Buffalo entails. We talk about where he fits on the roster, what the outlook is for a buyout and just what the best solution for the Sabres is when it comes to Skinner and the 2024-25 NHL season. 

Two in the Mailbox: An Abrasive Attitude

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It’s another edition of the mailbag and this time we’re tackling what the Sabres would need to change to adapt to the physical nature of the playoffs, how many new faces might be on the roster and Kyle Okposo’s recent comments on this year’s Sabres.

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The Instigator Podcast 12.38 – Seth Appert Promoted and Listener Questions

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Seth Appert was named to Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff this week, rounding out who will join Ruff behind the bench this year. We talk about Appert’s promotion and what it means for the team as a whole and Appert himself. We also touch on Matt Ellis’ move upstairs and the debate that has stirred throughout the fanbase. 

The second half of the show focuses on a few listener questions, where we hit on Kyle Okposo’s comments to the media about this season’s struggles, our belief on what sort of roster turnover there will be and what would qualify as a true shake up when it comes to offseason moves for the Sabres. 

Trade Market Indicates the Sabres Will Need to Offer More Than the 11th Pick

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Kevyn Adams hasn’t been shy about characterizing where he and the Sabres are in their build. He just recently appeared on Frank Seravalli’s show on Daily Faceoff and stressed urgency, saying they are “in the next phase,” a quote that strikes a different tone than the sort of comments he had made in past offseasons. 

Adams enters the summer with some expectation that he will be aggressive in making acquisitions that will finally put the Sabres back into the playoffs. One key piece in his arsenal is his 2024 first round pick, which falls at pick 11 after the NHL Draft Lottery. The 11th pick is a valuable trade chip for Adams, who could be shopping for wingers to round out the top six, a center who can take matchups in the middle of the lineup or even one more piece to bolster his blueline. Regardless of how Adams could spend that pick, there is a strong consensus among the fan base that it should be for sale to the highest bidder. 

What may get overlooked is the value a first round pick carries in today’s NHL. A pick in the top half of the first round carries substantial weight but if Adams has visions of bringing in a player who will contribute, he’ll almost certainly need to add to any offer involving the Sabres first round pick. There are plenty examples from around the league to look at and even two of Adams’ most notable deals – the Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen trades – included more than just a first round pick coming back. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.37 – Trade Targets from First Round Eliminations

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The first round of the playoffs is behind us and that means it’s time to identify which teams may be feeling desperate after an early playoff exit. We touch on some of our favorite targets from the eight eliminated clubs, highlighting players who could help put the Sabres over the top. We also dissect the Maple Leafs latest first round exit and the drama surrounding them after the loss. We kick off the show with a brief conversation about the NHL Draft Lottery and why we think the Sabres ought to move their pick.