With the NHL’s Trade Deadline on Monday and the Sabres holding steady at the bottom of the standings, it’s safe to say they will be active.
Here is a look at five potential targets the Sabres could aim for:
Daniel Sprong, RW – Pittsburgh Penguins
Sabres GM Jason Botterill came from Pittsburgh and was the GM for their AHL affiliate Scranton-Wilkes Barre. The 46th overall pick in the 2015 draft out of the Netherlands, Sprong is considered an elite prospect by many.
He is a great skater and puck handler who has the potential to be a dominant offensive force in the NHL. Even with all the hype and ability, he has not been able to stick with the Penguins and was even made a healthy scratch during his call up this season.
Sprong has 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games at the AHL level this season, and three points in eight games with the Penguins.
Although there hasn’t been any considerable trade talk around him, he would be a nice addition to a Sabres team lacking in offensive fire power and could give Jack Eichel a winger with great offensive ability.
Jordan Schmaltz, D – St. Louis Blues
With the recent talks of Josh Gorges being on the move and St. Louis being interested, Schmaltz could be a piece the Sabres would look for in return.
The defenseman from Madison, WI was picked 25th overall by the Blues in the 2012 draft and has only appeared in 19 games in the NHL since turning pro in 2015 after leaving the University of North Dakota.
He does have 47 points in 72 games for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL the last two years and was their lone representative at the AHL All Star Game in 2018.
Alex Galchenyuk, C – Montreal Canadiens
This would be a bit of a long shot as it is doubtful that Montreal would want to trade Galchenyuk to a division rival, but with the rumors of him falling out of favor in Montreal and the fact that he is under contract through the 2019-2020 season, it couldn’t hurt for Buffalo to kick the tires.
He would immediately improve the Sabres depth down the middle and has the rare mix of experience and youth that could really help move along the rebuild.
Galchenyuk has 34 points in 60 games this year (12 goals, 22 assists)
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Another reach, but if the Sabres are serious about speeding up the rebuild, they should look in to Hoffman. On the way to his fourth consecutive 20-goal season, Hoffman is a proven goal scorer in the NHL and is under contract though 2019-20.
Senators GM Pierre Dorion has stated that he is listening to offers on everyone except for Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Thomas Chabot. Hoffman would be a good addition to the Sabres as long as they don’t have to give up too many future assets to get the deal done.
Hoffman has scored at least 25 goals in each of the past three seasons, and is at 16 this year with 22 games to go.
Boone Jenner, C – Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets could be a potential suitor in the Evander Kane sweepstakes as they look to add offense to a team that is struggling in goal differential. With the news that Columbus is listening to offers for Jenner, this could be a potential match.
Jenner is a restricted free agent after this season, but should the Sabres obtain him at the deadline, he could serve as the 3rd or 4th line center going forward.
Jenner is two years removed from a 30-goal campaign. He had 18 last year, but has been quiet this season with just six in 54 games.
What do you think? Should the Sabres target any of these guys or are there others you’d like to see them go after? Let us know in the comments below.