The Buffalo Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to Montreal on Monday was their third in a row, but for a club in last place and 12 points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, another defeat serves only as another step towards a 14th straight season outside of the playoffs.
The most consequential event remaining for the Sabres this season is the NHL trade deadline this Friday, with the possibility of the club swapping out players with expiring contracts for assets. The fate of wingers Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway are uncertain since Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said last month that he would like to sign them to contract extensions, but the writing may be on the wall for pending UFA defenseman Henri Jokiharju. The 25-year-old has been in and out of the lineup all season, but after a good showing for Finland at last month’s NHL 4 Nations Face-Off and scoring goals in consecutive games for the Sabres after returning, the right-handed Finn has been a healthy scratch the last two games.
Although the return for Jokiharju may not be large, factors outside of Buffalo could help the Sabres get a better-than-expected return. The pool of right-handed blueliners may not be as large as once thought.
The trade of Seth Jones to Florida took one possible option for teams off the board, but the close races in the East and West may prevent Montreal from dealing rental David Savard, Boston from moving Brandon Carlo, and St. Louis from entertaining offers on Colton Parayko and look towards Jokiharju as a potential fallback option. Adams could also increase his return if the Sabres offered to retain a portion of his $3 million salary.
While a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated that Buffalo was working on an extension for Greenway, there has not any news on progress on a new deal with Zucker, who has 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 54 games, played less than 13 minutes in a 3-2 win over Anaheim on February 25 and has missed the last three games with a foot injury.
It is possible that Zucker is being held out because of more than just the injury. He may also be held out to protect him before Friday’s deadline in case the Sabres receive an offer they cannot refuse.
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