Sabres Looking to Acquire Top-End Defenseman to Play with Owen Power

When Owen Power is ready to step into the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres want to ensure he’s got a good partner to work with on a game-in and game-out basis. Without much in the way of stable options to help usher in a young prospect with huge potential and upside, the Sabres know Power may best succeed if he has a mentor, of sorts.

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Darren Dreger of TSN reports during the latest TSN Insider Trading segment that the Buffalo Sabres are reaching out to teams and looking for a top-two defenseman. Dreger notes, “There’s not a high level of urgency here. They’d like to get something done between now and the deadline, but if they don’t, then they are comfortable testing the unrestricted free agent market in the summer.”

The priority is getting someone that does more than keep up in an elevated role but is a good character guy that will help Power become a better professional NHLer. The question is, who will volunteer for that job? The Sabres aren’t exactly an organization that ranks high on players’ wish list for teams to sign them. While money may play a factor and the Sabres have a huge amount of cap space to spend on this player, how much are they willing to overpay?

Kris Letang may reach the market, but he’s not likely to jump ship unless the Sabres offer him more than the five years he’s seeking with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mark Giordano is a name that will come up during the summer, assuming he doesn’t go back to Calgary to finish out his career. He’s also a left-shot, so that would mean him playing his off side which isn’t ideal.

Might the Sabres make a big pitch for John Klingberg? It sounds like he’s looking to hit a home run in free agency and the Buffalo Sabres might be his best bet.

Next: Maple Leafs Are Searching NHL for Goaltending Help, Checked on Fleury