Long before they defeated the New Jersey Devils and found themselves in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabers seemed to be in a position make a substantial step at the NHL trade deadline.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has noted that while he wants to be aggressive at the deadline, he will not mortgage the future for that reason. The good news for him and the Sabers is that they have plenty of resources to work with. However they approach the deadline, the Sabers will have to move some premium assets.
Konsta Helenius
Helenius, the Sabres’ 2024 first-round pick, has received many positive comments since her selection. Helenius, another small forward, has regularly proven to be a responsible player in the American Hockey League (AHL).
In the Sabres’ limited options, he didn’t seem out of place and could be ready to compete for a full-time spot in 2026-2027. That said, he is the kind of potential top player who could be sent the other way to land a premium asset at the deadline.
2026 first round pick
For the first time in seemingly decades, the Sabers are in a position to realistically deal their first-round draft pick. Given their positioning, the lottery pick will likely be in the mid-teens even if they don’t make the playoffs. At that price, it’s worth making a move that could have a potentially huge impact on the franchise.
To acquire a premium player, you must offer premium assets. More often than not, at the deadline, sellers are looking for picks and prospects to fill their coffers. The Sabres’ first-round pick would undoubtedly be enticing as the team looks to load up at the deadline.
Noah Ostlund
When you’ve been as bad as the Sabers have been in recent years, you tend to stock up on high-quality young talent. The Sabers have several young pieces in their current core, but a plethora of young pieces that will also play a role in their future.
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Ostlund is an intriguing name in Buffalo circles. The 16e 2022, Ostlund has become a regular for the parent club this season, scoring 10 goals and registering 19 points in 46 games. He is undersized, but a crafty playmaker with the skills required to be a middle-six forward.
Devon Levi
There has been talk all season that the Sabers have a logjam at goaltender and that one of Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis could be brought in to address other concerns. That said, all three have had their own struggles with injuries this season. Trading one could leave the Sabers in a compromising position down the road if one of the remaining two gets hurt.
That’s where Levi comes into the equation. Often viewed as the goaltender of the future, his development has slowed and it remains to be seen what his path to the NHL will be. He could have more value as a central trade piece that can improve the team at the deadline.
Getting better is absolutely necessary
As the team approaches the playoffs for the first time since 2011, there is still some debate about what to do with Alex Tuch. It seems almost certain that he will stay, even without a contract entering the offseason, even if that is the case some still think he can be treated.
The goal is to simply get better. The Sabers don’t need to make the deadline’s blockbuster move, but they do need to address depth issues on both ends of the ice. Finding one or two bottom defenders would be imperative. A bigger swing than that would be the icing on the cake.
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