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Dylan Cozens, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

3 Buffalo Sabres Trade Deadline Predictions

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Zach Berta | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 3:50 PM ET

Once again, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and near the bottom of the NHL as a whole. With a disappointing 24-30-6 record, totalling just 54 points, they enter yet another trade deadline facing major questions. Will Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram, or Alex Tuch be moved? Or will the Sabres ultimately stand pat, unimpressed by the offers from teams around the league?

Sabres general manager (GM) Kevyn Adams has been highly active in trade discussions, a fact echoed by nearly every NHL insider. At one point, it seemed like half the league had inquired about Cozens’ availability, with the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings leading the charge. There was even a stretch where a Cozens-and-Byram package heading to Vancouver for Elias Pettersson felt inevitable—but, of course, that deal never materialized.

Lately, reports from both TSN’s Darren Dreger and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggest that if the Sabres were to move Tuch by the deadline, the Tampa Bay Lightning would be the frontrunners to land him. That would be a major addition for Tampa, though trading Tuch at this stage still feels a bit premature. Then again, crazier things have happened at the deadline.

With all that in mind, here are my final trade deadline predictions for the Sabres.

Sabres Trade Dylan Cozens

As I mentioned earlier, it truly felt like Cozens was on the verge of being traded. However, Adams wasn’t satisfied with the offers he received and ultimately decided to hold off. It’s a smart move—not worth moving him for a subpar package, especially when some teams seem to be lowballing the Sabres.

That said, I still believe a deal for Cozens could come together within the next 24 to 48 hours—one that improves the team both for the remainder of this season and heading into the next.

Based on reports, Adams appears to be cautious about trading young talent, likely out of fear they’ll thrive elsewhere. While that’s understandable, he needs to focus on the team’s present and future rather than dwelling on the past. Moving a player like Cozens could help retool the roster while also sending a clear message to the team.

Sabres Extend Jason Zucker

It sounds like the Sabres are interested in keeping Jason Zucker around for another couple of seasons. He’s been one of the team’s most consistent players and brings valuable veteran leadership to a young roster. So far this season, he’s recorded 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 54 games. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old winger has been sidelined since late February after sustaining an injury in a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks.

Before the season began, if someone had told me Zucker would be producing at this level, I would have assumed he’d be a prime trade deadline candidate — especially in what feels like a seller’s market — considering his pending unrestricted free agent status. With players like Gustav Nyquist and Trent Frederic fetching second-round picks, and reports suggesting that trade talks for Scott Laughton are starting at a first-rounder, Zucker could have easily drawn a significant return.

As many as 8 teams swirling around the Flyers with calls on Scott Laughton. The center market is shrinking so Briere is in no rush. 1st round picks are in play, but there could be room for improvement as the week unfolds.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2025

However, despite the potential trade value, I believe the Sabres will hold onto Zucker and sign him to a multi-year extension.

Bowen Byram Does Not Get Traded

There have been rumblings that if Bowen Byram and the Sabres couldn’t agree on an extension before the trade deadline, the team might consider moving him. While no deal appears to be close, I don’t believe the Sabres will end up trading him.

Byram has expressed his desire to eventually become a number-one defenseman, but that time doesn’t seem to be now. He’s set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season and is also arbitration-eligible, which adds another layer to his contract situation. Unless the Sabres are dead set on signing him to a specific deal and unwilling to negotiate beyond that, I fully expect Byram to remain in Buffalo next season.

This season, Byram has been the Sabres’ second-best defenseman, primarily playing alongside Rasmus Dahlin. He’s shown flashes of being a future number one, particularly when he stepped up during Dahlin’s injury absence in the latter half of their brutal 13-game losing streak. His development is trending in the right direction, and while his long-term future remains uncertain, one thing seems clear—for the next 48 hours, Byram is staying put.

And with that, those are my 2025 Trade Deadline predictions for the Sabres. Do you agree or disagree? Do you have your own predictions? I’d love to hear your thoughts!