The Buffalo Sabres Could Be Buyers at the Trade Deadline - And Not Just Standing Pat
A couple of months ago, the idea of the Buffalo Sabres being in the playoff conversation felt like a stretch. Now?
They're sitting third in the Atlantic Division, and the conversation has completely flipped. Instead of talking about a fire sale, the question is whether this team should make a push - and just how aggressive they should be at the trade deadline.
At the center of it all is Alex Tuch. The big winger has been a key part of this Sabres resurgence, and locking him up long-term appears to be the top priority for the front office. The organization knows it can’t afford to let a player like Tuch walk for nothing, especially with the kind of momentum they’ve built over the last stretch of games.
There’s also a sense that new GM Jarmo Kekäläinen might lean toward holding steady - something he’s done before. Back in his Columbus days, Kekäläinen let big-name free agents like Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Matt Duchene ride out the season, betting on team chemistry and a playoff push rather than flipping assets for futures. That same approach could play out in Buffalo.
But don’t mistake that for complacency.
League insiders suggest that Buffalo isn’t just going to sit back and hope for the best. There’s a belief inside the organization - and more importantly, inside the locker room - that this group can make a legitimate run.
Since Kekäläinen took over, there’s been a noticeable shift in attitude. This team believes.
And that belief might just be strong enough to warrant a calculated move or two.
Don’t expect a blockbuster. This isn’t about swinging for the fences or mortgaging the future.
But adding the right complementary pieces? That’s absolutely on the table.
A smart, hockey-savvy trade that deepens the roster and gives the Sabres a better shot in the postseason - that’s the kind of move to watch for.
Bottom line: The Sabres are no longer just playing with house money. They’ve earned their spot in the playoff race, and with the right tweaks, they could be more than just a feel-good story. They could be a problem for someone in April.