Sabers offseason roadmap, part 2: Nikolaj Ehlers and other trade goals for Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams has made it clear that now is the time for this team to win. This urgency is necessary not only because this franchise has missed the playoffs for a record 13 consecutive seasons, but also because Adams is entering his fifth season as general manager.

After tearing down the roster and rebuilding with a focus on drafting and development internally, Adams recognizes it may be time to move outside the organization to strengthen his roster. Speaking at an event for season ticket holders and future season ticket holders last week, Adams made no bones about his willingness to make assets available for a bold trade.

“I made it clear to every team in the league that I was open to trading prospects if it made our team better,” Adams said. “I’m willing to trade pick 11 if it makes our team better. It just has to make sense, because they are valuable assets.

These exchanges are difficult to achieve. Adams made some big deals during his tenure as general manager, but his biggest deals came when the Sabers were in a seller position. Now that Adams is trying to shop, what can the Sabers realistically expect for the No. 11 pick or some of their other assets? And which actors constitute commercial targets?

In part one of our Sabers offseason roadmap, we looked at Buffalo’s internal salary cap to get an idea of ​​what a realistic spending range might be for them this offseason. Now we’ll look at some business goals.

Unrealistic goals

Brady Tkachuk would be a dream addition for the Sabres, but it’s hard to imagine the Senators trading away their captain. Sam Bennett is another name readers are asking for, and one the Panthers will have a tough time coming up with. But he’s been so good for them in the playoffs and I don’t think they’ll be too eager to move him. Anthony Cirelli falls into this same category. While the Lightning will have to move some money around, they just signed Cirelli to a long-term deal. Although he would be a great fit in Buffalo, he appears to be in Tampa’s plans. Patrik Laine could be on the move again, but adding an $8.7 million cap hit is a tough sell while Jeff Skinner’s $9 million is still on the books.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Pavel Buchnevich fits exactly what the Sabers need. He has three consecutive seasons of over 60 points for the Blues and is a solid defensive player. Buchnevich has an edge to his game and scores a lot of his goals in front of the net, an area the Sabers need to improve. Buchnevich has one year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.8 million, so the Sabers would be taking a risk in successfully signing him to another deal. But adding Buchnevich would allow them to move JJ Peterka down the lineup.

Is this realistic?

The Blues are a team looking to retool and could use more of what the Sabers have as future assets. Buchnevich has a no-trade clause to 12 teams, according to CapFriendly, so that could be a hurdle. But the Sabers have the pieces in terms of draft picks and prospects to put together an attractive trade package.

What would it take?

The Sabers would have to part with the No. 11 pick and probably a bit more to get this deal done. Would the addition of Peyton Krebs or Isak Rosen be enough to sweeten the deal or would the Blues push for one of Buffalo’s top prospects? I’d make the deal if the Sabers didn’t need to attach Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich or Noah Ostlund at the No. 11 pick.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Fresh off back-to-back seasons with at least 60 points, Travis Konecny ​​is entering the final season of his contract with a cap-strapped Philadelphia Flyers team. Konecny’s style of play is lacking for the Sabres. He’s a physical, tough and competitive player who could start to change the way the Sabers play up front.

Is this realistic?

The Flyers may not want to pay Konecny ​​what he’s worth on his next contract if they feel he doesn’t fit perfectly into their rebuilding timeline. This would be the time to try to recover some assets for Konecny.

What would it take?

Considering what his next contract could look like, pick 11 alone could get a deal done. Despite their competitiveness a season ago, the Flyers are still in rebuilding mode and could be busy collecting future assets as they try to dig themselves out of salary cap issues. The issue for the Sabers wouldn’t necessarily be the acquisition cost, but the price Konecny ​​is seeking for his next contract. The Sabers need to budget for future extensions and may have to move another big-name player to keep Konecny ​​in Buffalo long-term.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Nikolaj Ehlers would be a great fit in Buffalo’s top six playing alongside Tage Thompson or Dylan Cozens. He had 47 points at even strength last season, and the Winnipeg Jets scored 65 percent of the goals when Ehlers was on the ice at five-on-five. He is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6 million. A reliable, two-way, quick winger would be a valuable addition to Buffalo’s top six. He’s not known for being a particularly successful player in the playoffs, but the Sabers are simply trying to make the playoffs.

Is this realistic?

Ehlers is a candidate to be moved due to his contract status and the Jets’ cap situation over the next two seasons. He has a no-trade clause for 10 teams, which complicates things.

What would it take?

It’s possible that pick No. 11 seals the deal. Perhaps the Sabers could bring in Krebs or a mid-level prospect to sweeten the deal. But it would all depend on Ehlers waiving his no-movement clause. Ehlers’ willingness to sign an extension could also impact the price.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Martin Necas would be part of one of Buffalo’s top two lines from a skill standpoint. He could play wing on one of the top two lines alongside Thompson or Cozens. His play away from the puck isn’t one of his consistent strengths, but Necas could reach another level with a bigger role.

Is this realistic?

Carolina is generating a lot of trade interest in Necas. He is a restricted free agent and is expected to receive a nice raise on his $3 million salary. The Hurricanes have a number of players up for extension, so someone will likely be forced out.

How much would it cost?

This could be the Sabres’ problem. Necas will be expensive to acquire and expensive to expand. If the Hurricanes want future assets, the Sabers certainly have plenty. But if they were targeting more established players, would the Sabers be willing to significantly shake up their core to add Necas and his next contract to the mix?

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Andrew Mangiapane’s two-way game would be a welcome addition to Buffalo’s forward group. He hasn’t been able to match the 35-goal season he had in 2021-22, but Mangiapane is still a reliable defensive player with the upside to score more in a better situation.

Is this realistic?

Mangiapane is coming off a rough year and has a cap hit of $5.8 million. This is the final season of his contract before he hits unrestricted free agency, so the Flames will have some trade interest in the 28-year-old. As the Flames revamp their roster and get younger, the Sabers would be a great trade partner with all of their future assets.

How much would it cost?

Part of what makes Mangiapane attractive is that the Sabers shouldn’t need to part with a ton to make a deal. A player like Henri Jokiharju or Krebs would appeal to Calgary, and the Sabers could sweeten the deal with a third-round pick.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Kevin Hayes would be a logical choice for the Sabers as the No. 3 center. He is a solid two-way player who wins faceoffs and has playoff experience and leadership. This is a package that would interest the Sabres. He has just two years remaining on a deal that carries a $3.5 million cap hit. He has a no-trade clause, but he also knows Ruff from when both players were briefly with the New York Rangers.

Is this realistic?

The Blues’ reorganization makes them a potential trade partner with the Sabres, who have the future assets St. Louis needs. The Blues recently traded for Hayes and his no-trade clause could be a hindrance, but it’s not a far-fetched idea.

How much would it cost?

With no salary continuation, Hayes should be reasonably priced. The Sabers may not even need to part with pick 11 or any of their top prospects to make a deal.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Radek Faksa is a reliable bottom-six center who excels in faceoffs and has a history with Lindy Ruff. He could fit in well on Buffalo’s third line and he has one year remaining on his contract which has a cap hit of $3.25 million.

Is this realistic?

Faksa has a five-team no-trade list, so it’s possible the Sabers aren’t on that list. He enjoyed playing for Ruff early in his career, so maybe that could help Buffalo’s case. The Stars may be looking for ways to create cap space and room for some of their younger players to take on bigger roles, so Faksa makes sense as a trade chip entering the final season of his contract.

How much would it cost?

Given his age and role, Faksa shouldn’t be an expensive addition. A third-round pick and a prospect seems like a fair asking price.

Does he make sense for the Sabres?

Scott Laughton would be a great fit as the Sabres’ third-line center. He plays with the type of toughness Buffalo looks for in the bottom six and has also been a great leader for Philadelphia during his career. This is the style of player Adams should be looking for. He also has two years remaining on a deal that pays $3 million per year. That’s an easy salary for Buffalo to absorb.

Is this realistic?

As mentioned above, the Flyers are up against the cap, so any trade for a veteran player seems realistic. Laughton also has no trade protections in his contract, which helps the Sabres.

How much would it cost?

I don’t know if the Sabers would want to go as far as including the No. 11 pick in a trade for Laughton unless something else happens the other way. The Sabers have plenty of prospects, young players and other picks to make a trade like this work. Maybe a second round pick and Jokiharju could get the job done.

(Top photo by Nikolaj Ehlers and Jeff Skinner: Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)