The Buffalo Sabres have now won five straight on home ice after an 8-2 victory thrashing of the N.Y. Rangers on Saturday, but the club’s postseason fate is likely sealed with less than two months to go in the 2024-25 season and less than two weeks to go before the NHL trade deadline.
GM Kevyn Adams indicated earlier this month that he would prefer not to be a seller and is looking to make player-for-player hockey deals instead of trading players on expiring contracts.
“There’s deals that you have to do for the organization, depending on certain things, but we’re trying to add to our team. We want to make our team better,” Adams said. “I’m approaching this as more of if there are deals out there, we’re wide open. We have to be willing to look at everything, especially where we are in the standings, but are there hockey trades to make?”
Buffalo has been a popular destination for scouts in recent weeks with pending free agents Henri Jokiharju, Jason Zucker, and Jordan Greenway potentially available, as well as center Dylan Cozens and winger Alex Tuch’s names floating in trade rumor circles.
Most curious for their regular presence at Key Bank Center has been the Vegas Golden Knights, who have had multiple scouts at the last five Sabres games. With the injury to defenseman Shea Theodore, Vegas could be looking to bolster their blueline. The Tampa Bay Lightning also had a pair of scouts on Saturday.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated earlier this month that the Lightning are among a number of clubs that could have interest in the veteran, who is signed through next season at a cap hit of $4.75 million.
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