On the ice, the Sabres rolled up their fifth-straight win, drawing even with Tampa Bay at the top of the Atlantic Division entering Friday. Meanwhile, Kekäläinen has been big game hunting. It was reported Tuesday that the Sabres and Blues wear nearing an agreement to send Robert Thomas to Buffalo. When that deal fell apart, Kekäläinen went back to the well and agreed to a deal to acquire Colton Parayko. Though Parayko ultimately vetoed the deal, it’s clear that Kekäläinen is ready to put his stamp on Buffalo’s roster. 

Friday’s deadline will be different than Sabres fans have experienced in quite some time. Aside from the 2023 deadline when the Sabres were quiet but brought in Jordan Greenway and Riley Stillman, and the bizarre 2020 deadline, the Sabres haven’t been anything close to a buyer since their last playoff berth. It’s going to be different this time around. 

Even though he fell short on Thomas and Parayko, Kekäläinen appears to have gotten his first two pieces of deadline business complete. As reported by Chad DeDominicis, the Sabres are acquiring both Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley from Winnipeg. They’re also bringing in Sam Carrick from the Rangers. 

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