3 Buffalo Sabres Players Who Could Be Traded
The Buffalo Sabres' recent dominant performance on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning has silenced any doubts about their legitimacy as a team. This season, the Sabres are expected to be active buyers at the NHL trade deadline for the first time in nearly 15 years, aiming to go beyond just making the playoffs.
The plan for their trades remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: they have a plethora of assets to work with, some of which may already be on the current roster. This doesn't necessarily indicate poor performance, but rather a strategic move to upgrade the roster by trading off the most expendable players.
Jack Quinn
Jack Quinn, a 24-year-old forward, is a player who could spark significant trade buzz. Despite showing the skill to be a 30-goal scorer in the NHL, Quinn has yet to reach his full potential. With 38 points in 60 games, he's on track to surpass his career-high 39 points from last season, but the question remains: will he ever become the top-six scorer we initially envisioned?
Quinn's inconsistency has been a concern, and while he's remained mostly healthy after recovering from an Achilles injury, he may not be the player the Sabres initially hoped for when they drafted him 8th overall in 2020. Another team with fewer options in their middle six could find Quinn enticing, as he possesses the potential to be a promising player on the cusp of greatness.
Jordan Greenway
Jordan Greenway, on the other hand, is disappointing in a different way. While not expected to be a top-six scorer, Greenway brings size, speed, and tenacity to the table, which are rare qualities in an NHL player. However, he has struggled with injuries, suiting up in just 67 games over the past two seasons due to hernia surgery in 2024.
Greenway is a valuable bottom-six role player with decent offensive upside. If a team is willing to buy into his skill set and potential, he could be a desirable trade target at the deadline, even though he may not be ready to step into the lineup immediately.
Jacob Bryson
Jacob Bryson, a defenseman, is another player who could be traded. While he hasn't been a catastrophic disappointment, his performance this season has been largely hideous, even in a limited role. With just 10:02 of ice time per game, he clearly lacks the trust of head coach Lindy Ruff.
Bryson's contract, with four years remaining at $7.950 million per season, makes him a challenging player to move. However, the Sabres may consider trading him for a late-round pick, especially if they acquire more defensive depth. The team has relatively few disappointments overall, with success stories like Mattias Samuelsson, but Quinn remains the most likely to be traded at this stage.
The Sabres are cautious about making the current roster worse, and finding takers for Greenway and Bryson may be difficult, but their time in Buffalo is likely limited.
