The Trade Deadline is only days away. We’ve already provided you with a list of Sabres who are most likely to be traded. So, who could the Sabres go after?
General manager Tim Murray has plenty of draft picks he could use in any deals, and the team could use another player or two.
Here’s a look at possible trade targets for Buffalo:
Cam Fowler (ANA) – His name has come up numerous times, and Buffalo is in need of big, young defenseman like this one. Fowler is only 24 years old, but is a proven 30-40 point player. He’d be a good fit and would be able to immediately contribute. His contract has a cap hit of $4M over the next two seasons, so now would be a great time to make an offer.
Sami Vatanen (ANA) – It probably wouldn’t be a package deal, but if Fowler can’t happen, Vatanen is another solid option. He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after this season, but the 24-year-old has put up 91 points (29 goals, 62 assists) in 182 career games.
Jeff Skinner (CAR) – The Sabres have some tremendous talent down the center, but they need help on the wing. Jeff Skinner would bring that, and he’d fit really nice alongside Jack Eichel. Again, Skinner is a young player (23 years old) and has already hit the 30-goal plateau twice. He’s had a couple of seasons cut short due to injury, but he’s played at least 62 games in each of the past three seasons.
Kerby Rychel (CBJ) – He’s not as well-known as the others on this list, but he can offer some help that Buffalo can use. Selected in the 1st round (19th overall), Rychel is a power forward that can score, but he is also willing to drop the gloves. Rychel is just 21 years old and has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 36 NHL games. He’s on his entry-level contract for two more seasons. He may need a little time to get adjusted to the NHL level, but he could help out significantly on the second or third line.
Mikkel Boedker (ARI) – How about a forward with eight years of NHL experience at the age of 26? Boedker has yet to hit the 20-goal mark, but has put up point totals of 51, 28 and 38 in the last three seasons. He’s been making an impact on the power play, too, which is something he didn’t do at the start of his career. His numbers may not be staggering, but consider the team he plays for and how he could fit in next to someone like Sam Reinhart.
What are your thoughts? Who would you like to see the Sabres acquire on deadline day?