Buffalo Sabres Trade Outlook: Three Players Who Could Be on the Move During the Olympic Break
With the NHL hitting pause for the Winter Olympics, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a rare and promising position: in the playoff mix and with a chance to make a real push. While official trades are off the table during the Olympic break, that doesn’t mean conversations aren’t happening behind the scenes. GMs across the league are laying the groundwork for moves once the freeze lifts - and Buffalo’s Jarmo Kekalainen has some intriguing decisions ahead.
For the first time in years, the Sabres have expendable assets - players who’ve contributed but could be flipped for the kind of upgrades that help a playoff team take the next step. Let’s break down three names that could be on the move, and why dealing them now might be the right call for a team trying to turn potential into postseason success.
Conor Timmins: A Valuable Piece, but Not Untouchable
Conor Timmins has been a solid addition to the Sabres’ blue line since arriving via trade with Pittsburgh. His ability to kill penalties and slide into either of the bottom two pairings - whether next to Owen Power or Bowen Byram - gave head coach Lindy Ruff some much-needed flexibility earlier in the season.
But then came the injury. A broken leg in mid-December has sidelined him through the Olympic break, and while he’s expected back soon after, the Sabres have had to rely on depth pieces like Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa to fill the void.
Here’s the thing: Timmins, when healthy, is an upgrade over those fill-ins. But if the Sabres are serious about a playoff run, they may need to aim even higher.
Outside of Mattias Samuelsson, the blue line still lacks bite - that physical edge that wears teams down in a seven-game series. Timmins’ $2.2 million cap hit through 2026-27 is reasonable, and that contract could be attractive to a team looking for a cost-controlled defenseman with upside.
If Buffalo can use him as part of a package to bring in a more rugged, playoff-ready blueliner, it’s a move worth exploring.
Colten Ellis: The Third Goalie Era May Be Ending
The Sabres have been juggling a three-goalie rotation for most of the season - part necessity, part indecision. But with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sidelined just before the Olympic break, Colten Ellis stepped in behind Alex Lyon and held his own.
His numbers? Solid enough: a 7-4-1 record, 3.11 GAA, and a .896 save percentage.
He’s been serviceable, but serviceable isn’t what the Sabres need right now. As the playoff race tightens, every roster spot matters - and carrying a third goalie limits flexibility.
Ellis has done his job, but the writing’s on the wall. Luukkonen and Lyon have both shown they can handle the net, and top prospect Devon Levi is waiting in Rochester, ready for his shot.
That makes Ellis the odd man out. Whether he’s traded as part of a larger deal or simply waived to free up space, it’s time to move on.
This isn’t about punishing a player who stepped up when needed - it’s about maximizing the roster for a playoff push. The Sabres’ goaltending depth is in good shape. Ellis no longer needs to be part of the equation.
Jack Quinn: High Value, High Stakes
Jack Quinn is having the kind of season that turns heads - and boosts trade value. With 12 goals and 37 points in 57 games, he’s already set a new career high in assists (25) and is on pace to eclipse his previous bests in both goals (15) and points (39) from last season.
What’s changed? He’s skating with more purpose, shooting with confidence, and looking like a player who’s figured out how to impact the game consistently. At 24, with a $3.375 million cap hit through 2026-27, Quinn is the kind of asset that teams outside the playoff picture would love to take a swing on.
That’s exactly why the Sabres should consider moving him.
It’s not that Quinn isn’t valuable - he clearly is. But with young talent like Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, and Konsta Helenius waiting in the wings, Buffalo may soon face a roster crunch. If you can flip Quinn for a more polished, top-six winger to slot next to Josh Norris when he returns from injury, that’s a move that helps now without mortgaging the future.
Timing is everything in the NHL. Right now, Quinn’s value might be at its peak. If the Sabres want to make a legitimate playoff run, using him as a trade chip could be the bold - and smart - play.
Final Thoughts: Time to Make a Move
The Sabres have come a long way in a short time. They’re not just rebuilding anymore - they’re competing.
That means making tough decisions, even on players who’ve contributed this season. Whether it’s Timmins, Ellis, Quinn, or others, Buffalo has the assets to make meaningful upgrades.
Now it’s up to Jarmo Kekalainen to pull the trigger. The Olympic break is a time to plan. When the league resumes, it’ll be time to act.