The Buffalo Sabres have recently had the misfortune of missing the NHL playoffs. Buffalo has not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season, 14 years ago. This season is no different as they are having another disappointing campaign. They are currently in last place in both the wild card race and the Atlantic Division. With the trade deadline coming up, will they be sellers with another lost season?
With the Sabres falling out of the playoffs, it is time to look toward next season and roster construction. The team is not fit to compete on any level or go far in the playoffs. The Sabres are always competitive in terms of on-ice play but their record speaks for itself. They do not need help. Sabres general Manager Kevyn Adams needs to clean house and start over as this roster is not capable of winning in this division.
The likely casualties are players with contracts expiring or players who have playoff experience
After this season, Buffalo has some unrestricted free agents (UFA). Those players include Jason Zucker, Jordan Greenway, Henri Jokiharju, Jacob Bryson, Dennis Gilbert, James Reimer, and Felix Sandstrom. Buffalo currently has a projected cap space of $32.81 for the 2025-26 season.
They will have the money to go out in free agency and grab some pieces. Re-signing their UFAs may not be enough because this team needs a new direction. These players are not winning games so bringing the same players back would be pointless.
The trade deadline could be a busy one for Adams and the Sabres. Regardless of how many trades they make or who they unload, prospects are going to be a big want in return. According to Scott Wheeler, Buffalo has the 11th-best prospect pool in the league, starting with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL). To have future success, they need to rebuild their prospect pool up even better than it currently is.
Speaking of prospect pools, the Sabres made a minor deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jauary 3, 2025. They traded Colton Poolman to the Penguins in exchange for left winger Bennett MacArthur. MacArthur is 24 years old and is a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2025 and is a UFA in 2028. A good young player with promise will likely be in Rochester the rest of this season.
One player who could surprisingly be on the move is goaltender Devon Levi
A promising goaltender years ago, he has not developed like they hoped he would. He has split time with Rochester and Buffalo, never being able to take the reins between the pipes to become a full-time starter. He could garner a nice return if dealt.
Adams has work to do if they want to make a serious run at a playoff spot next season. Aside from Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, everyone else should be nervous until the trade deadline is over.