Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo is the Team to Watch Ahead of NHL Trade Freeze

As the NHL roster freeze gets closer, the Buffalo Sabres haven’t yet made a trade. That said, they might need more than any other team.

by
Spencer Lazary
December 19, 2024

With the NHL trade freeze rapidly approaching, the league has seen a flurry of activity—and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down. Three trades on Wednesday evening led to speculation about who might be next. The Buffalo Sabres are high on that list since several of their players are still floating around the rumor mill. As teams work against the clock to finalize deals before the freeze takes effect at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow night, the Sabres are a team to watch.

Look for the Sabres to Make a Move

Considering the team has lost 11 games in a row and poorly responded after a chat with ownership, the Sabres are at the center of trade speculation. Several of their players are reportedly on the block.

The most notable is Bowen Byram, who has been linked to multiple teams looking to bolster their blue line. While nothing is imminent, Byram could be one of the biggest names to move before the deadline. It’s hard to imagine he’s dealt before the roster freeze, but if teams make enticing offers (which is what it would take), the Sabres could try to make a splash.

Meanwhile, Jordan Greenway was previously tied to the New York Rangers in a potential Kaapo Kakko trade. But, with Kakko now headed to the Seattle Kraken, Greenway could soon emerge as a target for other teams.

Teams Have Been Calling Buffalo and Kevyn Adams

According to David Pagnotta, there have been several players on whom the Sabres have received calls. The aforementioned Byram and Greenway are two of them. The others include:

Aside from the Pagnotta report, Dylan Cozens, Jason Zucker, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and Sam Lafferty are also names expected to generate trade buzz as the Sabres face mounting pressure to make changes.

Buffalo is a dumpster fire right now, and while their current struggles won’t last forever, the question is: how much longer will they wait to pull the trigger on a massive deal to shake up the franchise? A bold move feels inevitable, whether it happens before or after the trade freeze. The time to act is now.

The Sabres Need Change More Than Any Other NHL Team

The Sabres cannot continue repeating the same approach while expecting different results; it’s the textbook definition of insanity. Relying on the same core group of players and hoping for a breakthrough isn’t yielding progress—it’s doing the opposite.

Kevyn Adams Sabres GM — Sabres’ GM Kevyn Adams needs to make a change somewhere on the roster

While owner Terry Pegula has reportedly stated that no major trade is expected, it’s clear that something has to change. If the Sabres don’t move significantly soon, the offseason could bring widespread turnover.

The organization’s patience is understandable, but the current situation demands action. A franchise-altering deal could provide the spark this team desperately needs. Over the next 24 hours, expect Buffalo to remain active in trade talks. The future of the Sabres hinges on their willingness to embrace change, and the clock is ticking.

Next: Canadiens Trade Justin Barron to Preds for Alexandre Carrier