The Buffalo Sabres are making waves this offseason, already orchestrating four trades, and it seems like Jarmo Kekalainen is just getting started. The buzz around the league is that the Columbus Blue Jackets might be willing to entertain offers for their star defenseman, Zach Werenski.
Originally, the Blue Jackets planned to hold off on any discussions about Werenski's future until after the NHL Draft. But now, according to insider Pierre LeBrun, the team is open to listening to offers, although nothing is set in stone just yet.
Werenski is fresh off a stellar season, where he snagged the Norris Trophy with an impressive 81 points, after narrowly missing it the previous year with 82 points. Having spent all 10 seasons with the Blue Jackets, Werenski is a known quantity for Kekalainen, who drafted him eighth overall back in the 2015 NHL Draft.
For the Sabres, leading with the fourth overall pick in trade talks for Werenski seems like a smart move. Given Kekalainen's proactive approach, it's likely he's already reached out to his former team to explore possibilities.
The Sabres have been active, trading away Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring, while bringing in Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier. But adding Werenski, one of the league’s top defensemen, could be a game-changer.
Imagine a top defensive pairing of Rasmus Dahlin and Zach Werenski. It's a combination that could dominate the ice. With Mattias Samuelsson potentially moving to the second pair alongside Owen Power, and a third pair built around Zellweger and Conor Timmins, the Sabres' defense could be formidable.
Of course, this move comes with its risks. Any trade package would likely start with the fourth overall pick, and the Sabres need to decide soon.
They also have to consider what else they might need to include and how confident they are in securing Werenski for the long haul. Fortunately, Werenski still has two years left on his contract, giving them a bit of breathing room.
Kekalainen isn’t one to shy away from bold moves, as evidenced by talks involving stars like Connor Hellebuyck and Jason Robertson. Bringing Werenski into the fold could elevate the Sabres' blueline to new heights, potentially giving them a significant edge over their NHL rivals.
In Other News...
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For a team still carrying just under $10.8 million in cap space, the deal also changes the shape of the rest of the summer. The Sabres now have two restricted free agents left without contracts, and with one key piece already secured, the next moves will say plenty about how aggressively they plan to use the room they have left. [Read more 🡒]
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Elliotte Friedman reported that Edmonton has interest, and the fit makes sense from the Oilers side because their contract situation in goal leaves them little room to stand pat. For Buffalo, the bigger question is whether Levi still has enough value as a trade chip before the decision becomes even more difficult, since a move back to Rochester would not be a simple option if the Sabres want to keep him in the organization. [Read more 🡒]
Former Sabres Defenseman Just Forced A Tough Trade Debate Again
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For Buffalo, the move keeps the trade conversation alive because Kesselring was never going to be judged in a vacuum. His run with the Sabres was uneven, with limited offense and a playoff stretch that left him on the outside far more often than not, and now his new contract raises the same old question about whether Buffalo moved too early or simply moved on from a player who fit better elsewhere. The fact that he is already part of a thin pool of experienced Sharks defensemen only adds another layer to a deal that still invites second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]