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Buffalo Sabres on the Verge of Making Drastic Trade?

Are the Buffalo Sabres struggling so badly that they’re about ready to make a trade they could come to regret?

Darren Dreger and TSN’s Insider Trading panel suggested the Buffalo Sabres are on the verge of doing something drastic. Calling the team a tire-fire of an organization, he alluded to need GM Jason Botterill feels to do something, anything, to shake up the direction the franchise is going.

On the verge of being out of the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season, there is talk that Jack Eichel may eventually become so unhappy he requests a trade and suggestions the ownership group is exhausted trying to find something that will work. While head coach Ralph Kreuger isn’t likely on the hot seat, he addressed the fans and thanked them for their support while noting he understands their sense of frustration. In short, the Sabres just aren’t a good hockey club right now.

One thing that seems clear is that the Sabres need a top-six forward. Eichel and Sam Reinhart are doing all the heavy lifting and players like Jeff Skinner (who signed a massive contract in the offseason) and Marcus Johansson (who only has six goals) need to step up. Botterill would like to add to this group but the only way to do so, might be by moving a top-level defenseman.

Rasmus Ristolainen and Brandon Montour Have Value

Specifically, Dreger believes that while neither Rasmus Ristolainen or Brandon Montour could be shopped if things don’t get better. Obviously, the team would like not to move either player but the Sabres may be willing to sacrifice one of them if they can secure a top-six forward in return. It’s the type of trade the team could come to regret, but Botterill might feel his hands are tied.

Both are key players for the Sabres and aren’t likely the issue, but the feeling might be you have to give to get.

What would you do? Would you move one of your better d-men for a forward? Rasmus Dahlin is untouchable, so he’s not going anywhere but what about the rest of the d-corps?

Related: Flames No Longer Trading T.J. Brodie, Plus Sam Bennett News

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. dapop

    February 8, 2020 at 7:34 am

    what does Sheldon from the big bang theory know about hockey?

  2. Jim G

    June 11, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Absolutely , the only real way to improve the roster is through a trade . Montour or Risto , it doesn’t matter .

  3. Kirk Agthe

    June 12, 2020 at 11:33 am

    Okay, the Sabres are desperate for a top 6 center. Eichel’s a center, soooo, why would they trade him? I don’t think any team would be willing to pony up the draft picks and players to make an offer that Buffalo can’t refuse. Eichel certainly hasn’t peaked yet, hopefully the best is yet to come. With such a protracted rebuild I don’t see any upside to trading Eichel, it would do more harm than good. The Ryan O’Reilly trade shook out to be a total catastrophe, in many different ways.

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