The Buffalo Sabres have some trade candidates heading into the new campaign.
The Buffalo Sabres are entering the 2024-25 season with the expectation of breaking their grueling 13-year playoff drought. GM Kevyn Adams made changes this offseason in response to the Sabres’ deflating 2023-24 campaign, and the hope is that they will finally take that next step because of it.
While Adams has made several moves this offseason, more could be on the way, whether that is before the season or during it. Because of this, let’s discuss three Sabres who are trade candidates heading into the 2024-25 season.
Jordan Greenway
Jordan Greenway generated plenty of buzz in the rumor mill leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. However, in the end, the Sabres elected to keep him. Yet, when noting that Greenway is entering the final season of his contract as a pending UFA, he stands out as a potential trade candidate again. This is especially so if the Sabres struggle out the gate in 2024-25.
The Sabres also brought in several bottom-six forwards this offseason, including Beck Malenstyn, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Sam Lafferty, Ryan McLeod, and Jason Zucker. Thus, things are looking a bit crowded in the Sabres’ bottom six, and Greenway could be made expendable for the right price because of it.
Peyton Krebs
As noted above, the Sabres added two bottom-six centers in McLeod and Lafferty this offseason. Peyton Krebs appears to be the odd one out of the Sabres’ projected lineup for the 2024-25 campaign. Could the former first-rounder be on the move because of this?
Krebs, 23, is coming off a quiet year with the Sabres, recording four goals and 13 points in 80 games. Krebs is a player to watch from here after not taking a step forward in his development. The Sabres are looking for a top-six winger, and Krebs could be used as a piece in a potential trade package to land one.
Mattias Samuelsson
Mattias Samuelsson generated trade interest earlier this offseason, but Adams was not interested in moving him. However, with the Sabres still desperately needing a top-six winger, Samuelsson stands out as a potential NHL-caliber trade chip who could help them acquire one.
The Sabres are currently loaded with left-shot defensemen, as they have Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, and Owen Power. Because of this, Samuelsson is projected to be on the Sabres’ third pairing next season. Thus, with the Sabres having a surplus of left-shot defenders, Samuelsson could be a dark horse trade candidate to watch in 2024-25.