3 Big Sabres Named Top Trade Candidates

These three Sabres have been named among the NHL's top trade candidates.

The Buffalo Sabres will be one of the top teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches. They are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and have disappointed big time.

Due to this, an array of the Sabres' players have created trade chatter this season. In his most recent Trade Targets board for Daily Faceoff, NHL insider Frank Seravalli named Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram, and Jack Quinn as three Sabres players who could be dealt. 

Cozens, 23, has generated plenty of buzz in the rumor mill this season. Seravalli also reported that Cozens has generated the most "trade attention" of any Sabres player this season. This is unsurprising, as he is a young, big center who is signed until the end of the 2029-30 season. He also showed in 2022-23 that he has the potential to be a star, posting 31 goals, 37 assists, and 68 points in 81 games. 

Cozens has struggled this season, though, posting eight goals, 20 points, and a minus-14 in 41 contests. This has also played a role in rumors surrounding him, and it will be fascinating to see if he gets a change of scenery.

Byram is another notable young Sabre who has been the subject of trade speculation this season. The left-shot defenseman is a pending restricted free agent, and Seravalli reported that it's a notable reason why he is garnering interest.

Another interesting thing to note is that the Sabres have two high-impact left-shot defenders, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, who they are building their blueline around. Thus, Byram could be a valuable trade piece for the Sabres to use to bring in talent elsewhere if he does not seem eager to sign a long-term extension in Buffalo.

As for Quinn, he is a bit of a fresh name in the rumor mill. Seravalli reported that "teams have been calling" about Quinn while his trade value is down due to his underwhelming season. The 2020 eight-overall pick has five goals, nine assists, and a minus-14 rating in 34 games. He has also been scratched multiple times. 

While Quinn has struggled this season, there would undoubtedly be a lot of risk with the Sabres trading him. The same can be said regarding Cozens and Byram, but it will be fascinating to see if the Sabres trade anyone from this trio.