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Sabres Made Unusual Roster Move Before Canadiens Game, Hinting at a Big Trade Incoming

Originally posted on Habs Fanatics | By Elias Adaime | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 4:33 PM ET

Last night, before facing the Montreal Canadiens, as reported by TVA Sports, the Buffalo Sabres made an unusual announcement involving two players.

This is clearly related to upcoming transactions.

See the relevant excerpt:

'Forward Jason Zucker and defenseman Henri Jokiharju were not in the lineup at KeyBank Center to face the Habs.
This is quite unusual, considering both players are having good seasons.'

TVA Sports

This could indeed set the stage for a major trade involving the Sabres.

Something big brewing with the Buffalo Sabres: An option for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens?

Let's talk about the Montreal Canadiens.

As for Jason Zucker, who is ultimately dealing with an issue, I don't think he's an option, but there are still two Sabres players who might interest Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton.

First, there is undoubtedly center Dylan Cozens, whose name has frequently been linked to the Canadiens in trade rumors over the past few weeks.

And then, why not add Jokiharju, who is a young and effective right-handed defenseman?

Could last night's opponents be interesting trade partners?

Cozens, 24 years old, is a big 6-foot-3, 207-pound center who has 30 points in 58 games this season, including 11 goals. He also has previous NHL seasons of 68 points and 47 points under his belt.

Jokiharju, 25 years old, is a 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed defenseman with 6 points in 42 games this season, including 3 goals.

This article first appeared on Habs Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.

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