These 3 free-agents would get the Buffalo Sabres into the playoffs

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The Buffalo Sabres were somewhat of a surprise team in 2022-23. A lot of things went right for the young squad as they look to become an annual contender for the Stanley Cup.

They ended up just missing the playoffs but they ended the year believing big things will happen for them in the coming years. It is not easy to have sustained success but they have a core to build around.

With guys like Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Alex Tuch amongst others as skaters, they hope to play well in front of Devon Levi. If the rookie goalie can be a Calder Trophy-type guy, they could be a great team.

If they want to make a couple of more additions throughout the year to help push them over the edge of being a playoff team, nobody would fault them. These three free agents could help:

1. Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane would be a great player for the Buffalo Sabres this year.

Patrick Kane is going to walk into the Hall of Fame with ease. He has been one of the best wingers in the history of the league. He is also the greatest American-born player to ever lace up the skates.

His career with the Chicago Blackhawks included tons of team success and individual success. He should be proud of his legendary career up to this point.

The Hawks traded him to the New York Rangers ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline and now he is a free agent. He is recovering from hip surgery so it might be a while before he signs with a team.

The Buffalo native would look so good with the Buffalo Sabres at this stage of the game. He would cost too much and they’d be able to use him just the right way at this point in his career.

He wouldn’t have to come in and be the legend he was in Chicago. He’d be great on a wing with one of their young centres and his experience could really go a long way.

They should absolutely think about this. It would be a great move for both sides.

2. Tomas Tatar

Tomas Tatar could help the Buffalo Sabres create some depth in 2023-24.

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to have a very strong forward group. You heard some of the names along with the great defensemen on this team already.

Now, it wouldn’t hurt to think about some depth. Even if this team added Patrick Kane, there is no reason they can’t also see the price on Tomas Tatar.

If the New Jersey Devils didn’t make the playoffs last season, Tatar would already be signed on a four-year deal somewhere. He fell off hard in April which is giving teams some pause.

However, he had to be injured a little bit because he was magnificent for New Jersey during the regular season.

He isn’t the same Tatar that played for the Detroit Red Wings or Vegas Golden Knights but there is clearly still a lot left in the hockey tank.

The Buffalo Sabres would love to add a guy coming off 20 goals to their fourth line. This is their chance.

Phil Kessel #8, Vegas Golden Knights (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

3. Phil Kessel

Phil Kessel would bring some good vibes to the Buffalo Sabres this year.

Phil Kessel knows the Buffalo Sabres well. He never played for them but he was a Toronto Maple Leafs star for a long time so there were plenty of good battles.

He even had his fair share of exposure to them when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins too.

As of right now, Phil Kessel is the NHL’s all-time Iron Man. He hasn’t missed a game since recovering from shoulder surgery in 2009. Yeah, that is a lot of years playing 82 games out of 82.

Bringing his type of vibe to the Buffalo Sabres could breed even more excellence. There is no wonder why his name is on the Stanley Cup three times.

Kessel would very much be a bottom-six forward in today’s game but he could do wonders for some of these young kids learning the way.

He has become a fan favourite around the league and now would be a great time to see him get a contract. People would love to see him on a young vibrant team like the Sabres.

All of these guys would bring something completely different to their organization but all of them should help the team get back into the playoffs. Regardless, a fun year is coming for Buffalo.

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