Sabres Linked to Former First-Round Pick

The Buffalo Sabres have one of the largest postseason droughts in all of sports, and it's been a tough decade-plus for this organization. The team hasn't qualified for the playoffs since the 2010-11 season, and there isn't a lot of hope here.

The team is still trying to be competitive next season, and the front office is hopeful that they can take another step forward. But the roster may need a few more upgrades ahead of the upcoming NHL season.

NHL writer Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report put together a few landing spots for disgruntled former first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yerdon mentioned the Sabres as a team that could make a play for a forward before the offseason ends.

"The Sabres have had their eyes open for forward help all summer and have been heavily speculated in forward trade possibilities ever since they traded JJ Peterka to Utah.

"Chinakhov fits the description for what the Sabres are looking for out of a forward (skill, speed, etc.) but if there's reason to pause, it's how Chinakhov and Evason didn't see eye to eye. Evason can be a tough coach to play for and Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is cut from the same cloth," Yerdon wrote.

Chinakhov was limited to just 30 games last season, but the hope is that his injury issues are behind him. During his time on the ice for the Blue Jackets, he scored seven goals and eight assists.

The young forward could give the Sabres a nice boost offensively, and it could help them move closer to competing for a postseason spot. Buffalo has been building up their roster, and this could be an underrated type of move for the team.

There is a lot of pressure on the Sabres' front office moving forward, and unless they start competing soon, things could be very ugly. Buffalo has to start trending upward, and this could be one way to help things out.