Bruins’ 2022 Trade Targets on the Buffalo Sabres

After two down seasons with the Sabres, Miller has been playing quite well this campaign. In 32 games, he has two goals, 10 assists, and a minus-2 rating. The Sabres will likely shop him, as he is in the final year of his contract and eligible for unrestricted free agency. He would be an immediate upgrade over Connor Clifton on the Bruins’ bottom pair and could also be used on the power play. 

Vinnie Hinostroza

Vinnie Hinostroza was quietly signed to a one-year, $1.05 million contract over the summer by the Sabres. So far, he’s been quite impressive, with eight goals and 17 points in 35 games and could be classified as a middle-six forward. Given that he plays both center and right-wing, he would also offer Boston some versatility.

He would be a rental player, but one still worth considering. He would likely come at a low price as another upgrade to Boston’s forward group. The Bruins would benefit from adding a forward who can produce well offensively. Although he wouldn’t be the biggest splash on the trade market, he would be a nice short-term option during Boston’s playoff run.

Victor Olofsson

The Sabres are in a full rebuild, which means they could eventually make Victor Olofsson available. The 26-year-old winger is in the final year of his contract before he becomes a restricted free agent. However, if he agrees to a one-year deal with Buffalo, he will be old enough to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent the following offseason. With this, the Sabres might be open to moving him to avoid the possibility of losing him for nothing down the road.

Olofsson would be a good answer for the Bruins’ lack of right-wing depth. In 29 games this season, he has five goals and 15 assists. Jake DeBrusk has requested a trade, so they will need to add a winger to replace him anyway when he is moved. Although he’s a lefty, Olofsson is comfortable playing right wing and could fight for a spot in the top six with Craig Smith. A little competition is never a bad thing. At a minimum, he’d be an above-average third-line winger in Boston. 

Mark Pysyk

Although Mark Pysyk is not a star, he is a very good depth player. He is a defenseman who can also play forward, which alone makes him a rare option and particularly handy for the Bruins this season. Both injuries and illnesses have been piling up around the league, and the NHL schedule will be more condensed moving forward.

At a minimum, Pysyk could be another solid depth defenseman for the Bruins. He’s a right-handed shot who could compete with Clifton for a spot on the bottom pair, too. In 37 games this season, he has a goal, seven assists, and a plus-2 rating. His contract expires at the end of the season, so he would be another rental. But it’s always good to have extra players, and he would provide the Bruins with just that for a cheap price.

Last season’s Taylor Hall deal between the clubs worked out swimmingly for Boston, so they shouldn’t be against talking to the Sabres again. A reunion with Miller or adding Olofsson would be great, but Hinostroza and Pysyk would be nice consolation prizes. Alas, we’ll have to wait and see what happens in the weeks ahead.