Sabres GM Kevyn Adams will continue to pursue signings, trades during NHL's break

A 13-day break between games is an opportunity for most Buffalo Sabres to reset physically and mentally four months into a tumultuous season.

Some players plan to stay off the ice until practices resume Feb. 18, focusing instead on conditioning and strength training. Others will use the time to hone specific on-ice skills that can lead to better results over the Sabres’ final 28 games, the first of which will be in KeyBank Center against the New York Rangers on Feb. 22.

Rasmus Dahlin, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Henri Jokiharju are competing at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Dahlin will be one of Sweden’s top defensemen, Jokiharju will need to help Finland cover for the injuries on its defense, and Luukkonen is expected to be the No. 2 or No. 3 goalie for the country.

The pause in the NHL schedule does not mean business grinds to a halt, though. There’s no roster freeze during the tournament, which begins Wednesday night in Montreal with a game between Sweden and Canada. Players can still be traded. Contracts can be signed. The league doesn’t want attention directed away from the four-team international showcase, but there’s no rules preventing a blockbuster deal, either.

The absence of games and practices is an opportunity for Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to address the items on his to-do list before the league-wide trade deadline March 7. His team remains last in the Eastern Conference with a 22-27-5 record, six points out of 15th place and 13 points out of a playoff spot.

There’s no plan to start anew. There’s no reason to, either. Only four teams have scored more goals at 5-on-5 than the Sabres. They are first in the league in first-period goals and first-period goal differential. Dahlin and Tage Thompson are franchise pillars to build around. There’s a wealth of talent in the organization, including the NHL roster, but changes are needed to transform Buffalo into a playoff team. Here’s how Adams will approach that mission in the days and weeks to come:

Contract negotiations

Adams’ preference is to avoid selling at the deadline. He met recently with pending unrestricted free agent winger Jason Zucker and his agent, Eustace King, to begin preliminary contract talks. Zucker expressed interest in remaining with Buffalo beyond this season, but the two sides have less than a month to come to an agreement.

The Sabres are willing to give Zucker a multiyear contract with a raise after he became an invaluable leader on and off the ice. They have approximately $33.7 million in cap space for next season. Zucker has 18 goals and 41 points, only two fewer than Alex Tuch, and Zucker is an important role model to the young, skilled players on the team. However, he may prefer to pursue the Stanley Cup with a contender and delay any decision about where he will play next season. Adams would have to decide whether to accept a first- or second-round draft pick from a contender, or risk losing Zucker for nothing in July. The Sabres will honor Zucker’s request if he wishes to leave and re-engage in contract talks when he becomes a free agent.

There’s also mutual interest in re-signing pending unrestricted free agent Jordan Greenway, but contract talks have yet to begin. He’s missed 33 of the past 37 games with a middle-body injury that required surgery in mid-December. The 27-year-old power forward also has  emerged as a leader since arriving in Buffalo. Trade offers for Greenway may not be enticing, though. Would a contender give up a high draft pick for a third- or fourth-line winger who’s barely played in three months? Why would the Sabres sell low when they can keep him and continue contract negotiations?

It's no secret Henri Jokiharju may be playing his final season in Buffalo. His role and ice time have changed with Ruff as coach. Playoff teams will express interest in Jokiharju, even more so if he plays well at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s a right-shot defenseman who can fill a depth role. But the Sabres aren’t going to sacrifice their short-term depth on defense for a mid- or late-round draft pick, especially if Mattias Samuelsson is out long-term with a lower-body injury. It’s important to put Dahlin, Bowen Byram and Owen Power in a position to succeed and grow during the final weeks of the season.

Blockbuster trades

Adams wants to complete a significant trade like those that brought Byram and center Ryan McLeod to the Sabres.

Is there an opportunity to add a top-four right-shot defenseman who’s under contract for multiple seasons? Can Buffalo use its depth at center to add another top-six scorer closer to or amid their prime? Is there a non-playoff team willing to trade an NHL player for one of the Sabres’ prospects or less experienced forwards? Are they still making a push to acquire center Elias Pettersson from Vancouver?

Adams and his staff deserve credit for accurately identifying that it was time to part ways with Casey Mittelstadt and Jeff Skinner.

Byram has been more impactful than Mittelstadt since the blockbuster, one-for-one swap last March. Skinner’s bad habits and lack of speed made him expendable, and his replacement, Zucker, proved to be a better fit on this roster. McLeod’s speed, playmaking and playoff experience were worth the cost of 2022 first-round draft pick Matt Savoie, though that deal didn’t happen until July.  

Another bold move is needed, one that can bring toughness and leadership while addressing a current hole in the lineup. Teams are trying to pry Dylan Cozens out of Buffalo, but the Sabres aren’t taking draft picks or prospects for a 24-year-old center who scored 31 goals two seasons ago. The Vegas Golden Knights are among the teams interested in Tuch, who has one year left on his contract; however, they are going to have to pay a premium to convince Adams to lose him. 

Byram’s contract situation also will weigh into the Sabres’ roster-building strategy. Does the pending restricted free agent want to sign long-term? Is the team willing to spend nearly $30 million per season on three left-shot defensemen: Dahlin, Power and Byram? Teams will be calling about Power and Byram until there’s clarity. 

Don’t forget about no-trade clauses, either. It’s not impossible to acquire an experienced NHL player with term on their contract, but Buffalo’s player pool will be shallower than most teams until it becomes a destination. 

Leadership

Management and coaches were mulling changes to the Sabres’ leadership group before Stefan Noesen’s hit on Thompson, a source confirmed to The News.

A mistake by two players, Samuelsson and Power, didn't provoke the internal debate.

It became apparent over the past four months, particularly through the ruinous 13-game winless streak and panic-stricken performances, that more experienced leaders are needed.

There’s no interest in stripping Dahlin of the captaincy, nor should there be. All involved understand the 24-year-old defenseman will need to grow into the role, and playing through multiple injuries has made the situation more difficult for him. He couldn’t be around through most of the monthlong skid. Dahlin has the talent, competitiveness and traits to become a model captain. 

Neither Samuelsson nor Cozens was ready for the burden to lead as alternate captains. They need to focus on continuing to develop as NHL players, even though Cozens has the potential to become an exceptional leader someday. Each possible trade acquisition for the Sabres will be viewed through the lens of whether the person coming to Buffalo can fill the leadership void.

Ruff’s return hasn’t been the storybook homecoming fans wanted, but only two NHL head coaches have been behind the bench for more games. He understands which skill sets, personalities and leadership qualities are needed in your dressing room to be a winning team. His insight will help guide the Sabres as Adams and his staff deliberate which direction to take the franchise.