The Sabres' Trade Deadline Dilemma: Who's on the Chopping Block?
The Buffalo Sabres have proven their mettle with a commanding road victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, solidifying their status as potential buyers at the upcoming NHL trade deadline. This marks a significant shift from their usual role, as they aim to enhance their roster for the first time in nearly 15 years, with their eyes set beyond just making the playoffs.
But here's where it gets controversial: Who might the Sabres be willing to part with to strengthen their team? The answers are not as straightforward as one might think.
Jack Quinn: The Inconsistent Enigma
At 24, Quinn has shown glimpses of brilliance, suggesting he could evolve into a 30-goal scorer in the NHL. With 38 points in 60 games, he's on track to surpass his career-high of 39 points from last season. However, his inconsistency has been a nagging issue, and despite recovering from an Achilles injury, he hasn't quite lived up to expectations.
Quinn's potential allure lies in his ability to provide depth to teams lacking options in their middle six. While he shows promise, it's unclear if he'll ever reach the heights the Sabres envisioned when they drafted him 8th overall in 2020.
Jordan Greenway: Size, Speed, and Tenacity
Unlike Quinn, Greenway's disappointment stems from a different source. While he wasn't expected to be a top-six scorer, his size, speed, and tenacity are rare attributes in the NHL. Unfortunately, Greenway has been plagued by injuries similar to Quinn's, missing a significant number of games over the past two seasons due to hernia surgery in 2024.
Greenway is a valuable bottom-six player with offensive upside. If a team is willing to bet on his skill set and potential, he could be traded at the deadline, even if he's not immediately ready to step into a starting role.
Jacob Bryson: The Obvious Choice
Initially, Josh Norris was considered, but his contract (four years remaining at $7.950 million per season) makes him a challenging asset to move. Instead, Bryson, the next most obvious choice, takes the spotlight.
The Sabres are fortunate that one of their biggest disappointments is a No.6/7 defenseman, minimizing the impact. However, Bryson has had a rough season, even in a limited role, averaging a career-low 10:02 of ice time per game and lacking the trust of head coach Lindy Ruff.
Bryson's trade value is low, and he's unlikely to fetch more than a late-round pick. If the Sabres acquire more defensive depth, he may find himself demoted.
A Season of Strong Performances
Despite some disappointments, the Sabres have largely received strong performances from their roster this season. Success stories like Mattias Samuelsson highlight the team's resilience, especially considering their injury troubles.
Related: The Sabres should consider a reunion with Ristolainen at the deadline.
At this stage, Quinn is the most likely to be traded. The Sabres aim to avoid weakening their current roster, and finding takers for Greenway and Bryson might be challenging, but their time in Buffalo seems limited.
