The Buffalo Sabres are in unfamiliar territory - and that’s a good thing. For the first time in over a decade, they’re heading into the NHL trade deadline as clear-cut buyers.
That shift in posture means general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has some big decisions to make. Chief among them: who’s staying, and who might be used as trade capital to bolster a roster with real postseason ambitions.
One name to keep an eye on? Anton Wahlberg.
The 20-year-old Swedish center, a second-round pick from the 2023 draft, has found himself in a bit of a developmental holding pattern this season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Through 38 games, Wahlberg has put up 18 points - four goals and 14 assists - which translates to 0.47 points per game. That’s actually a slight dip from his production last year (0.48 PPG), a sign that his offensive growth has plateaued for now.
But don’t let the numbers paint the full picture. Wahlberg continues to bring value in other areas - especially on the defensive side of the puck. Rochester head coach Michael Leone recently emphasized that while Wahlberg’s scoring hasn’t popped, his defensive instincts and physical play have been strong.
“Asking him to play center at the AHL level - and not just center, but 1C - is a tall order,” Leone said. “He’s facing tough matchups every night.
But he’s got a great defensive stick, and when he plays with physicality, he can shut plays down. That’s when he’s at his best.
He can impact the game without being on the scoresheet.”
That kind of two-way responsibility is no small feat for a 20-year-old in his second full AHL season. Still, the question remains: does Wahlberg’s current trajectory align with what the Sabres need right now?
When Buffalo drafted him, the projection wasn’t that he’d become a flashy, top-line scorer. The hope was that his 6-foot-3 frame and strong two-way game would eventually translate into a reliable middle-six center - someone who could chip in offensively while anchoring a line defensively. But with his offensive ceiling now under scrutiny, it’s starting to look like Wahlberg may top out as a third-line center.
That’s not a knock - NHL teams win with strong third lines. But Buffalo already has one of the league’s best in that role in Ryan McLeod, a player who’s carved out a niche with his speed, defensive awareness, and ability to tilt the ice in his team’s favor.
Wahlberg could eventually shift to the wing, which might open up more opportunities, but even there, he’s fallen behind in the organizational pecking order. Prospects like Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, and Isak Rosen have surged ahead, making it harder to envision a clear path for Wahlberg in Buffalo’s long-term plans.
That doesn’t mean he lacks value. Far from it.
He’s still a former top-40 pick with size, defensive upside, and time to grow. If his offensive game takes a leap, he could still become a second-line contributor.
At worst, he projects as a dependable bottom-six forward who can help kill penalties and win tough matchups.
But that’s the crux of the situation: the Sabres have depth at that position already, and they’re entering a phase where impact players - not just depth pieces - are what move the needle. If Buffalo is serious about making a playoff run, they’ll need to put some enticing pieces on the table to land the kind of talent that can elevate their top six.
Wahlberg, with his blend of physical tools and defensive maturity, could be just that kind of trade chip. He shouldn’t be moved lightly - dealing him for a short-term, low-impact rental, like a depth defenseman, wouldn’t make sense.
But if he’s part of a larger package for a legit offensive weapon? That’s a conversation worth having.
This is a pivotal moment for Buffalo. The rebuild is behind them.
The window is opening. And sometimes, to take the next step, you have to part with a prospect you once believed in - not because he failed, but because your team finally has the luxury of aiming higher.
For the Sabres, the time to aim higher is now.