Buffalo Sabres trade-deadline primer: After slow start, is it time to sell?

With where their record currently stands, the Sabres certainly have the makings of a seller at this year’s trade deadline. However, even if they were to involve themselves in the rental market this spring, the return value on players such as Zemgus Girgensons, Kyle Okposo, Victor Olofsson, and Erik Johnson may not make it worthwhile.

Assuming that Buffalo already has their sights set on next season, they could dangle their 2025 first-round selection to acquire a long-term piece, as it would take a surprise star player to enter the market for the Sabres to part with their lottery-projected 2024 first-round pick. Without much to sell, and in a position to only acquire long-term pieces, it would not be a surprise to see Buffalo be one of the more quiet teams at this year’s deadline.

Team Needs

1) Right-Shot Defenseman: Last summer, the Sabres brought in Johnson and Connor Clifton to help improve the right side of their defensive core. As things played out, neither addition has worked out as Buffalo may have hoped, as out of 29 total players, Clifton ranks 21st on the team in Corsi For percentage, and Johnson ranks 24th. Desperately needing to find a serviceable option next to Power on their second defensive line, the Sabres could get aggressive and try to pry David Jiricek from the Blue Jackets. Jiricek has reportedly expressed frustration over his situation in Columbus.

2) A Definitive Solution In The Crease: An answer in the net has been one of the primary questions following Buffalo around for the last several years. Without a lot of game-changing answers on the market, it appears this question will take another year to figure out. 

Now, Buffalo’s goaltender prayers may be answered by either Luukkonen or Devon Levi. But neither has suggested they can fully assume that mantle. Of the two, Luukkonen has been the better option by far this season, but he's been extremely streaky. 

In his first eight games of the year, Luukonen produced a serviceable 3-3-1 record with a .910 save percentage, but followed it up with a 3-5-1 record and .876 mark in his next nine games. Once again on a hot streak, Luukonen looks nearly unbeatable going 6-3-0 and ,940 in his last nine games.