The Buffalo Sabres are sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 27-17-5 record - and for a franchise that hasn’t seen playoff hockey in 14 years, that’s not just progress, it’s a legitimate shot at finally breaking the drought. With the trade deadline looming, the Sabres are in a position we haven’t seen them in for quite some time: buyers with purpose.
If Buffalo wants to push this thing over the top, they’ll likely need to add some firepower. And when scanning the league for potential trade partners, the St.
Louis Blues - struggling to find their footing this season - stand out as a team that could be open for business. Two names from St.
Louis, in particular, should be on Buffalo’s radar: Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. Both are high-end talents, both are under long-term contracts, and both could help reshape the Sabres’ top-six for years to come.
Robert Thomas: A True No. 1 Center
Let’s start with Robert Thomas. The 26-year-old center is exactly the kind of player who could elevate Buffalo’s offense from promising to dangerous.
He’s a legitimate top-line pivot, a playmaker with elite vision and a high hockey IQ - the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. Through 42 games this season, Thomas has posted 11 goals and 33 points, even as the Blues have struggled to generate consistent offense.
What makes Thomas even more appealing is his contract situation. He’s locked in through the 2030-31 season with an $8.125 million cap hit.
That’s not a rental - that’s a long-term cornerstone. Of course, there’s a no-trade clause to navigate, so he’d have to sign off on any move to Buffalo.
But if the Sabres can make that happen, they wouldn’t just be adding a player for this playoff push - they’d be securing a foundational piece for their future.
Buffalo has some promising young centers in the mix, but Thomas would bring a level of polish and consistency that could stabilize the top line and set the tone for the rest of the forward group. He’s the type of center you can build around, and with the Sabres trending upward, the timing feels right.
Jordan Kyrou: A High-Octane Winger with Bounce-Back Potential
Then there’s Jordan Kyrou - a dynamic winger with top-six pedigree and the kind of speed that can break open a game. Kyrou’s having a bit of a down year by his standards, with 9 goals and 21 points in 40 games.
But let’s not forget what he’s done over the past few seasons: three straight years with at least 31 goals, and 70+ points in three of his last four campaigns. That’s not a fluke - that’s a proven scorer who’s just waiting to catch fire again.
Like Thomas, Kyrou is also under contract through 2030-31 at an $8.125 million cap hit and holds a no-trade clause. So again, any deal would require his approval.
But if he’s open to a change of scenery, Buffalo could be an ideal landing spot. The Sabres have a young, fast, offensively-minded roster that could complement Kyrou’s skill set perfectly.
Adding Kyrou would give Buffalo another top-six weapon and a potential game-breaker on the wing. He’s the kind of player who can tilt the ice when he’s on - and if he finds his rhythm in a new environment, he could be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Big Picture for Buffalo
The Sabres are in a rare position - a team on the rise with cap flexibility, young talent, and a real shot at ending a historic playoff drought. Making a move for Thomas or Kyrou - or both - wouldn’t just be about this season.
It would be about signaling to the rest of the league that Buffalo is done waiting. They’re ready to win now, and they’re building something sustainable.
Of course, pulling off a deal of this magnitude won’t be easy. The price will be high, and the no-trade clauses add a layer of complexity. But if Buffalo wants to take the next step, these are the types of bold, calculated swings that could finally bring playoff hockey back to Western New York.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to the Sabres to decide how aggressive they want to be.