As the NHL’s Olympic break winds down, the league’s roster freeze is set to lift on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
That means front offices across the league have exactly 12 days to get their final moves in before the NHL Trade Deadline hits on Friday, March 6. For teams like the Buffalo Sabres, that window could be the difference between extending their season-or extending a playoff drought that’s lasted over a decade.
Buffalo enters the stretch run with a 32-19-6 record and 70 points, currently holding the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres haven’t seen playoff hockey since 2011, the longest active drought in the NHL.
General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen has made it clear: any moves he makes will be about improving the team now. And one name that’s reportedly on his radar?
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley.
Logan Stanley: A Big Body Having a Breakout Year
At 6-foot-7 and 231 pounds, Stanley brings the kind of size you can’t teach. He’s spent most of his career as a third-pairing defenseman-more known for his physical presence than offensive production.
But this season, he’s started to flip that narrative. Through 55 games, Stanley has already posted nine goals and nine assists-good for a career-high 18 points.
It’s the first time in his NHL tenure he’s scored more than a single goal in a season.
For a Sabres team that already boasts one of the tallest blue lines in the league (averaging 6-foot-3), Stanley wouldn’t be a stylistic outlier. But it’s not just about size-Buffalo’s third pairing has been a weak spot all year, and Stanley could help bring both stability and a touch of offense to that group.
The top four-Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power-are all capable puck movers with offensive upside. But the bottom pairing has been a revolving door.
Michael Kesselring, Jacob Bryson, and Zach Metsa have all rotated through, and none have locked down the role with consistency. Stanley could be the steady presence that unit needs.
There’s also the potential for synergy. Kesselring, Buffalo’s big offseason addition, has had an up-and-down year when healthy.
Slotting him next to a more reliable, physical defender like Stanley could give both players a boost. The Sabres could also opt to rotate among Kesselring, Metsa, and Stanley depending on matchups, but right now, Stanley looks like a plug-and-play upgrade.
What Would It Cost?
Stanley is in the final year of a two-year deal that carries a $1.25 million cap hit. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which lowers his trade value and gives the Sabres a bit of leverage. The Jets, reportedly unwilling to offer him an extension, appear ready to move on and collect assets.
Here’s what a potential deal could look like:
Buffalo Sabres receive:
- Logan Stanley
Winnipeg Jets receive:
- Tyson Kozak
- 2027 third-round draft pick
This isn’t the kind of splashy, headline-grabbing trade that shakes up the league-but it’s the kind of smart, calculated move that playoff-bound teams make to shore up their depth. Stanley brings grit and physicality to a blue line that could use more of both, and the Sabres don’t have to give up major assets to get him.
From Winnipeg’s side, this is about turning a pending free agent into future value. They get a third-round pick and a 23-year-old center in Tyson Kozak, who’s shown enough promise to potentially carve out a role at the NHL level. It’s not a game-changer for the Jets, who have struggled this season, but it’s a forward-looking move that adds to their pipeline.
What’s Next for the Sabres?
Buffalo still has a few areas to address if they’re serious about making a playoff run, but this kind of move checks an important box. The Sabres don’t need to blow up their roster or chase a blockbuster deal-they just need to solidify the pieces around their core. And if Stanley can bring some balance to the third pairing, that’s a meaningful upgrade.
With the deadline approaching and the playoff picture tightening, the pressure is on. Kekalainen has a chance to end the league’s longest playoff drought and bring postseason hockey back to Buffalo. The next 12 days will tell us whether he can make the right moves to get them there.