3 Buffalo Sabres Players Who Could Be Traded Before the NHL Trade Deadline
The Buffalo Sabres have been on a roll lately, and their recent dominant win against the Tampa Bay Lightning has only solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. But as the trade deadline approaches, there are a few players on the roster who may be traded, either to upgrade the team or to free up cap space. Let's take a closer look at three players who could be on the move before the deadline.
Jack Quinn: The Unfulfilled Potential
Jack Quinn, the 24-year-old forward, has been a bit of a disappointment since being drafted 8th overall in 2020. While he has shown the skill to be a 30-goal scorer, he has yet to find that next gear and become the top-six scorer we all envisioned. With 38 points in 60 games, he is on pace to top his career-high 39 points from last season, but his inconsistency has been a major issue. Quinn's potential to be a valuable player for another team with fewer options in their middle six makes him an enticing trade target. However, it's unlikely that he will be the player the Sabres imagined when they drafted him.
Jordan Greenway: The Underrated Role Player
Jordan Greenway, a 26-year-old forward, has been a disappointment in a different way. While he wasn't expected to be a top-six scorer, he has brought size, speed, and tenacity to the team. However, Greenway has dealt with the same kind of injury history as Quinn, playing in just 67 games over the past two seasons due to hernia surgery. Despite his limited playing time, Greenway is a valuable bottom-six role player with decent offensive upside. If someone is buying on his skill set and potential, he could be dealt at the deadline, even though he won't be ready to step right into the lineup.
Jacob Bryson: The Overlooked Defenseman
Jacob Bryson, a 25-year-old defenseman, has been a bit of an overlooked disappointment. While he hasn't been catastrophic, he has been largely hideous this season, even in a limited role. With just 10:02 of ice time per game, he clearly doesn't have the trust of head coach Lindy Ruff. Bryson's contract, with four years remaining at $7.950 million per season, makes him an extremely difficult player to move. However, if the Sabres acquire more defensive depth, he will likely be sent down. So, while he may not be traded, his time in Buffalo is almost certainly limited.
The Bottom Line
The Sabres have had relatively few disappointments this season, with major success stories like Mattias Samuelsson. However, when you factor in the troubles the Sabres have had with injuries, it goes to show how good this team has actually been. At this stage, Quinn is the only player who is even remotely likely to be traded. The Sabres don't want to make the current roster worse, and they will likely be hard-pressed to find takers for Greenway and Bryson at this point. But with the trade deadline approaching, it's anyone's guess who will be on the move before the season ends.
