Will the Sabres Make a Deadline Move?
It is rumored that general manager Kevyn Adams is looking to make a push to the playoffs.
Photo by Jeff Curry
With the trade deadline (March 3, 2023) getting closer and closer, there has been much speculation over which players will be going where. We are now half-way through the NHL season, and it has become quite apparent which teams have a chance at making the playoffs and which teams are practically finished for the season.
The Buffalo Sabres currently sit at fourth in the Atlantic division, ten points behind the third seed in the Atlantic (Tampa-Bay Lightning), and a whopping 27 points behind first place in the division (Boston Bruins). An incredibly competitive Atlantic division this season has made it difficult for the Sabres to make a serious playoff run. They currently hold the wildcard spot, but are tied in points with the Florida Panthers. The Sabres are also currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, again, seriously diminishing hopes of them making the playoffs. They are currently one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and four points behind the Washington Capitals.
The Sabres are also ranked third overall in scoring, much to the credit of center, Tage Thompson. Thompson has been a powerhouse in Buffalo, he is currently at a career high of 68 points in 50 games. Furthermore, on Dec. 7, 2023, Thompson scored four goals in the first 16:40 of the game that Buffalo played against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In doing so, Thompson became the first player in Sabres’ franchise history and the 18th NHL player in history to score four goals in one period. Unfortunately, Thompson suffered an upper body injury on Jan. 31, 2023, and had to leave early during Buffalo’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 1, 2023, rendering him unable to compete in the All-Star game this past weekend. An extended absence from Thompson would further limit the Sabres’ ability to make it into the playoffs.
However, it is rumored that general manager Kevyn Adams has plans to make one last push to this season’s playoffs. Adams is considering making one or two more moves before the trade deadline on March 3, 2023. The idea is that adding a veteran presence would bring experience, depth, and leadership to the young team. Adams is supposedly looking at players like Boone Jenner, a veteran with experience but not a big name who would be too expensive. Furthermore, Adams wants to keep as many of his young players in the lineup as he can. The upcoming trade deadline could potentially be very impactful on the Sabres’ chances of making the playoffs.
Sources:
Easson, Author Mark, and Mark Easson. “Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams Could Look to Reward His Team with a Deadline Move or Two.” NHL Rumors, https://nhlrumors.com/nhl-rumors-buffalo-sabres-gm-kevyn-adams-could-look-to-reward-his-team-with-a-deadline-move-or-two/2023/02/07/.
Lysowski, Lance. “Observations: Tage Thompson Ties Sabres Record with 5 Goals on 'Very Special Night'.” Buffalo News, 2 Jan. 2023, https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/observations-tage-thompson-ties-sabres-record-with-5-goals-on-very-special-night/article_ab551282-75a6-11ed-aa22-9746dc301e93.html.
“Sabres' Tage Thompson Suffers Upper-Body Injury.” Sportsgrid, 4 Feb. 2023, https://www.sportsgrid.com/article/sabres-tage-thompson-suffers-upper-body-injury.
