5 Sabres Who Should Be Dealt by the Trade Deadline

Cozens has been linked to numerous trade rumors, including a possible deal that would bring Pettersson to Buffalo. According to multiple sources, the Sabres recently offered Cozens and Bowen Byram for Pettersson—a deal that, on paper, makes sense for both teams. However, the holdup appears to be Adams seeking additional value in return, though nothing as significant as J.T. Miller. Instead, Buffalo is reportedly interested in acquiring a player who can contribute immediately, with defenseman Vincent Desharnais being a potential target. The challenge is that Vancouver views Byram as a key addition to its blue line and would prefer not to part with a defenseman in the trade themselves.

If Cozens doesn’t end up in Vancouver, the question remains—where will he go if the Sabres decide to move on?

Jack Quinn

Jack Quinn finds himself in a similar situation as Cozens, but his struggles have been even more pronounced this season. In 43 games, he has managed just nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points—well below expectations. While some leeway could be given, it’s clear this season hasn’t gone the way he or the Sabres had hoped.

Quinn entered the season recovering from two separate lower-body injuries last season, so some early-season rust was expected. However, he still hasn’t found his rhythm, raising concerns about his long-term fit in Buffalo. Rather than letting his trade value decline further—if it hasn’t already—the Sabres should consider moving him while they can still get a meaningful return.

The big question is how much value Quinn still holds on the trade market. While the potential return remains uncertain, a trade helping the Sabres improve immediately would be worth pulling the trigger on.

Alex Tuch

Alex Tuch has quietly been one of the Sabres’ best forwards this season, posting 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 50 games. His versatility and two-way play make him an appealing target for contenders, as he can slot into a middle-six role, contribute on the power play, and be effective on the penalty kill.

A team like the Avalanche could be an ideal landing spot for Tuch. The Avs have battled injuries and depth issues all season, and adding a player of his caliber wouldn’t require a massive haul. However, the return package will depend on what Buffalo is looking for as Colorado isn’t in a position to part with too many assets.

With the Sabres struggling at the bottom of the standings, Tuch’s trade value may be at an all-time high. Given his ability to impact the game in multiple ways, now could be the perfect time for Buffalo to maximize his value in a trade.

Devon Levi

I know what you’re thinking—why would the Sabres trade a goaltender of Devon Levi’s caliber? It’s a fair question. He has dominated in the American Hockey League, showing flashes of elite potential. However, Buffalo committed to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the offseason, signing him to a five-year contract with a $4.75 million average annual value. While Levi has the potential to be a great NHL goalie, he’s not suited for a backup role. Perhaps the Sabres’ plan is to keep Luukkonen under contract while waiting for the right time to transition Levi into the starting role, even if Luukkonen still has term left on his deal.

Trading Levi still feels like a longshot, but Buffalo needs to improve the roster in front of Luukkonen and moving Levi could bring back multiple impact players to help achieve that. Teams like the Philadelphia Flyers or Canucks could be strong fits—especially the Canucks, depending on what direction they take at the deadline. Thatcher Demko has struggled this season, and if Vancouver is looking for a goaltending change, Levi could be a prime target.

Adams has the assets to reshape this team, but the real question is—can he execute it? Time will tell.