The NHL trade market is in full swing, and discussions are picking up much earlier than usual, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
The experienced journalist says he has never seen such a level of activity at this stage of the season, where trade rumors are breaking out every day, affecting both veterans and young players.
This whirlwind in the trading market appears to be setting the stage for major trades.
A prime example Dreger mentioned was hyper-talented defenseman Bo Byram, but Buffalo has such a deep defense that GM Kevyn Adams is listening to every offer.
And it seems Byram isn’t untouchable.
Dreger specifies that the Buffalo Sabres, looking for stability, will only part with him if the offer is irresistible.
The Sabres, who have struggled to maintain consistency this season (and for ages), are actively exploring the market, which further fuels rumors of possible transactions.
The Buffalo Sabers find themselves at a decisive turning point in their season. Despite high expectations and increasing pressure, the team is far from meeting the hopes of its fans and management.
Indeed, Buffalo is suffering its worst start to a season in seven years, an observation all the more frustrating for a team that has not reached the playoffs in 13 years, the longest active drought in North American professional sport. .
However, all is not gloomy: offensively, the Sabers shine. Since returning from Europe, they have been among the most prolific teams in the NHL, averaging 3.94 goals per game, the fourth best offensive output in the league.
Tage Thompson, with ten goals at even strength (injured day-to-day), is particularly impressive, and the team already has seven players with ten or more points.
The problem, paradoxically, does not lie in attack but in defense and on special teams. The Sabres’ defense, although young and talented with names like Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson, lacks consistency.
What seemed to be a strength has become a weakness: the Sabers give away too many scoring opportunities instead of locking down their games, as shown in their last meeting against the Montreal Canadiens. Their 23rd-ranked power play and disastrous penalty kill aren’t helping to stabilize the team.
General manager Kevyn Adams is well aware that his team is at a crossroads. He remains confident in the development process but recognizes that this must translate into results.
Adams said:
“We have too much experience to be considered a young team. “With players like Dahlin (452 games) and Thompson (388 games), the team can no longer hide behind youth.”
Faced with this disappointing start to the season, Adams seems ready to shake things up and shake up the transaction market.
He is actively looking for a quality top-six addition on offense. However, he knows he will have to sacrifice something in return.
Sources have confirmed that he has increased calls to other teams in the league to inquire about opportunities, showing that he is willing to explore all avenues to advance the Sabers towards the playoffs.
At the moment, Byram plays on the right, even though he is left-footed. Is this why rumors are swirling around the defender having a good start to the season with 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points in 17 games (differential of +7).
The message is clear: Kevyn Adams won’t just wait. In a hot transaction market, Buffalo could well be the team that makes the first big transaction of the year.
Another hot name in the discussions is Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers. Zibanejad’s contract, which runs through 2030 for $8.5 million per season, has become a financial burden on the Rangers.
CH management could see this as a golden opportunity to add a productive center to their squad, but several factors are holding back this possibility.
On the one hand, Zibanejad brings experience and talent, having amassed 688 points in 859 games. However, Kent Hughes’ team is rebuilding and focusing on developing young players.
Such a salary investment could harm budgetary flexibility, especially if young people like Demidov, Jacob Fowler or Michael Hage start demanding hefty contracts in the years to come if they become the prodigies we expect.
The arrival of a veteran like Zibanejad could also hinder the development of young aspiring centers, like Kirby Dach or even James Hagens, seen as a future Jack Hughes (if CH wins the lottery).
Montreal will not sacrifice its long-term progression for an established player who is losing momentum, even if the idea of immediately strengthening the team is attractive.
Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman reports that the Pittsburgh Penguins have made it clear to other teams that they are “open for business.”
After the Lars Eller trade, rumors are multiplying around players like Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.
The Penguins could also put on the market players like Noel Acciari, Michael Bunting, and Alex Nedeljkovic, elements still under contract for an additional season and capable of attracting attractive offers.
Pierre LeBrun also claims that Sidney Crosby’s contract is designed to be traded, while he receives practically all of his money in the first year.
“I think it’s no coincidence that Crosby’s contract was constructed this way!” »
Things are happening like never before in Pittsburgh.
It is also interesting to note that several teams are looking for quality defenders, which makes Brandon Carlo of the Boston Bruins particularly attractive.
The Anaheim Ducks, for example, are looking for a right-handed defenseman who can stabilize their blue line, and Carlo could represent a more reliable option for them.
This is why the name Trevor Zegras is circulating in Anaheim.
We can also understand why Logan Mailloux arouses so much interest on the market. Right-handed defenders are a rare commodity.
With teams like the Sabres, Rangers, and Penguins engaged in constant discussions and open to significant changes, the transaction market is particularly active and unpredictable.
NHL leaders seem ready to do anything to turn around their season, reduce their payroll or begin a reconstruction.
While we are witnessing a complex game of speculation, the Canadian will have to be careful not to engage in hasty transactions.
The idea of solidifying the roster with experienced players is tempting, but patience and long-term development strategy remain essential for the franchise.
In this storm of rumors, Kent Hughes must remain patient. If only Bowen Byram was right-handed…
