Sabres deadline preview: Which players could be on the move this week?

Each of the past three seasons have revealed which ingredients were missing from a Sabres roster that was rebuilt in 2021 with the trades of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen.

In 2022-23, Kevyn Adams’ third season as general manager, the Sabres began to add toughness with the pre-deadline trade for Jordan Greenway. Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson, veteran defensemen with playoff experience, were signed as free agents. Last March, Adams swung a blockbuster deal by swapping one of his centers, Casey Mittelstadt, for a top four defenseman with a Stanley Cup ring, Bowen Byram.

The mission to build a playoff-caliber roster continued last summer with the Sabres buying out Jeff Skinner, acquiring center Ryan McLeod for Matt Savoie, the free-agent addition of veteran winger Jason Zucker and an overhaul of their fourth line. The return of Lindy Ruff as coach conjured optimism and excitement from a fan base that hasn’t experienced playoff hockey since 2011. But it all came crashing down in December with a 13-game winless streak.

The Sabres sit last in the Eastern Conference entering their game Monday in Montreal’s Bell Centre and ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. Friday. The past 58 games have revealed their roster needs more experience, leadership, toughness and players who can execute Ruff’s system that necessitates quick decision-making. More specifically, they need a top-six forward and first- or second-pair defenseman.

The plan isn’t to sell off expiring contracts for draft picks or prospects. The Sabres need players who can help them win next season. The mission to improve the roster now will be balanced with the harsh reality that Buffalo may have no choice but to trade a pending unrestricted free agent to not lose them for nothing in July.

Despite the Sabres’ spot in the standings, and the no-trade clauses that are roadblocks to acquiring proven talent, they are one of the most fascinating teams to watch heading into the deadline.

Free agents

Jordan Greenway, winger: There’s mutual interest between Greenway and the Sabres to complete a contract extension before the deadline. The 6-foot-6 winger has a skill set unlike any other in the organization. He’s excellent at protecting the puck in the offensive zone and provides a net-front presence. His work in the defensive zone quickly earned Ruff’s trust and admiration, plus Greenway is one of their best penalty-killers. Greenway, 28, has also emerged as a respected leader in the dressing room, and he’s the type of physical presence the Sabres have lacked too often during the drought. He understands how to irritate opponents and protect teammates.

Jason Zucker, winger: No one displayed more leadership qualities during the Sabres’ winless streak than Zucker, who calmed tensions by relaying the wisdom that he’s gained through 14 seasons in the NHL. Zucker has produced 18 goals and 44 points through 54 games. If he maintains his current pace of 26 goals and 64 points, both figures will be the second-most for a free-agent signing in franchise history. Rick Dudley (31 goals and 70 points) is the only one to produce more in their first season after inking a contract with Buffalo. Zucker has been the Sabres’ most productive forward on the power play, and has been a stabilizing presence no matter where he skates in the lineup.

The question is whether Zucker wants to pursue the Stanley Cup with a contender. He hasn’t played past the first round of the playoffs since 2015. Zucker is 32 years old and 751 games into his NHL career. The Sabres can offer the most money and term, which are factors for a veteran who doesn’t want to continue to bounce from team to team.

Henri Jokiharju, defenseman: Jokiharju’s stock has risen since his encouraging performance for Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. And, for the most part, he’s played well recently in a third-pair role for the Sabres. This season has been a step back for him, though, and he hasn’t been able to hold onto a lineup spot or role. Jokiharju has been a healthy scratch 16 times, and his average ice time per game is down nearly five minutes compared to two seasons ago. His right-handed shot and ability to transport the puck out of the offensive zone should land him with a contender before the deadline.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel, winger: This isn’t an exciting entry because Aube-Kubel has played nearly as many games with the Rochester Americans (12) as the Sabres (19). The 28-year-old Stanley Cup champion had only one goal and two points with Buffalo before he was waived and assigned to the American Hockey League. His status as a pending unrestricted free agent, as well as his playoff experience and skill set, may be attractive to a contender with little cap space and draft capital to spend.

Other candidates

Connor Clifton, defenseman: Clifton was scratched in seven of nine games before he returned to the lineup Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. He’s had some strong games this season, but consistency has been the issue. Ruff isn’t vested in Clifton as much as the Sabres’ last coach, Don Granato, who coached Clifton at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and recruited him to come to Buffalo. Clifton’s contract runs through next season and carries a reasonable $3.33 million salary-cap hit. His right-handed shot, physicality, penalty-killing experience and playoff pedigree could draw interest. Adams must consider potential replacements for Clifton, especially if Jokiharju is moved. None of the defensemen in Rochester are ready for the NHL and free agents may not want to sign in Buffalo this summer.

Sam Lafferty, forward: The Sabres signed Lafferty to a two-year, $4 million contract in July because he has provided speed, physicality and secondary scoring in each of his stops in the NHL. But he’s been healthy scratched 15 times and is averaging only 9:46 per game. He’s enjoyed life off the ice in Buffalo – his family is from Hollidaysburg, Pa. – but it’s unclear if Adams sees Lafferty as part of this team’s plans for next season. A trade may not make sense because the Sabres aren’t interested in giving away veteran players under contract for draft picks.

Less likely

Mattias Samuelsson, defenseman: Yes, Samuelsson’s contract is movable. General managers across the league are searching for defensemen with his size (6-foot-4) and skill set. The injuries are a cause for concern, but the upside will be enough to entice teams if the Sabres decide to shop Samuelsson before the deadline and this summer. He has five years remaining on a contract that carries a $4.29 million salary-cap hit. Any move involving Samuelsson is more likely to happen this summer.

Alex Tuch, winger: The Sabres aren’t shopping talk. They don’t want to move him. In fact, their preference is to extend the 28-year-old veteran. It hasn’t stopped teams from calling, though. Who wouldn’t want someone with his combination of speed, intensity, penalty-killing ability, playoff experience and 30-goal potential? Unless a team offers a haul that includes NHL-ready players, the Sabres will keep Tuch and push to sign him to a contract extension this summer. He’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2026.

Dylan Cozens, center: Similar to Tuch, the Sabres aren’t eager to move Cozens. He’s only 24 years old and two seasons removed from producing 31 goals. There’s concern over his drop in production in consecutive years, as well as his slow progress adapting to the demands of defending well as a center in the NHL. But they aren’t moving Cozens unless it’s a move similar to the Byram-for-Mittelstadt swap last season. Don’t forget that this team isn’t as deep at center as you may think. Tage Thompson shifted to the wing again because of injury, McLeod is a pending restricted free agent in need of a contract extension, Jiri Kulich is only 20 years old, Peyton Krebs hasn’t produced offensively and the prospects in Rochester shouldn’t be expected to contribute in 2025-26.

Bowen Byram, defenseman: The Sabres need to sign Byram, not trade him. He’s having his best season in the NHL while proving he can play 25-plus minutes next to Rasmus Dahlin. Byram is only 23 years old and owns a Stanley Cup ring from his time in Colorado. The question, however, is whether the Sabres are willing to give Byram a long-term contract worth between $8 million to 9 million per season when they’re already paying Dahlin ($11 million) and Owen Power ($8.35 million). 

JJ Peterka, winger: Another season of 20-plus goals will position Peterka for a significant raise as a restricted free agent this summer. He’ll also surpass 50 points at only 23 years old, and he’s become a top-line winger while averaging 18 minutes of ice time per game. The Sabres must decide whether they’re willing to give Peterka a long-term contract. If they aren’t, someone else might as soon as this summer. He’s a candidate for an offer sheet. Only nine players have received one since the salary cap was introduced in 2005-06. But teams may become more aggressive with the cap ceiling rising to $95.5 million next season.

AFP Analytics projects Peterka to receive a six-year contract with a $6.6 million average annual value. If another team offers Peterka that amount and the Sabres choose not to match, then they’ll receive first- and third-round draft picks based on the NHL’s compensation formula. That return wouldn’t help them to win now, so perhaps they'll check with other teams to better understand their options.