Is there a young, 1st line center out there that could be pried away from his team for four 1st round picks?
Two in 2026.
Two in 2027.
Where are the 1sts? If 2 are coming from the team and 2 are from another
Imma guess:
Beniers - really wouldn’t think so, would be super surprised.
McTavish - maybe it’s me but I’d guess yeah? Not that they’d want to, just that it could probably happen. I don’t think a full futures offer does anything for them, but it wouldn’t blow my mind to see a hockey trade
Byfield - I don’t understand why they would. He looks great, lots of energy. If they’re trading him I think you need to give them something great back. The bar is high.
Wright - I’d guess yes. It’s a place they could look to when adjusting but I don’t guess that they’d be the one asking to do it. I’d guess if they made a short list of possible big upgrades they wanted and the trading partner had this ask, I could see it
three wuestions...
1. Even realistically available? Everyone has a price
2. Are they true #1, low 1%/high 2_ middle 6?
3. Are they willing to trade them. Does it fit their needs
Seattle could trade one of the two if they have center depth. Similar with Anaheim and their C depth
Kuclich - I suppose the Sabres can seem more volatile than others but I don’t think they’d care for picks rn. I’m guessing they’d listen to any hockey trade idea. I don’t think any forward would be truly untouchable, but I’d guess he’s closer than many
Right now buffalo is not looking at trading young players still on ELC for picks. Hockey trades...yes.
In s few years I can see them start moving young players for picks when they decide who tu o hero as nd invest in.
Itswhy Greeneay and Zucker were just 2 yr extensions...
When ELCs end..
2025 Peterka, Quinn, ryan johnson, Levi, kozak, BR- byram, mcleod
2026 benson, RosenUFA Tuch
2027 kulich, Ostlund
2028 Wahlberg
2029 Helenius ( contract slides in the 25/26), possibly 25 top 20 pick ends ELC too.
2030 Thompson and Nprris contracts end IIRC
Other prospects not listed.
Buffalo could be looking at future heirs to thompson and Norris, McLeod in Kulich, ostlund, helenius, 25 top 10 pick
If you look at 25/26 team
xxx- kulich-Thompson
Zucker- Norris-Tuch
Greenway-mcleod- xxx
Malendtyn-xxx-Lafferty
Krebs
RFAs-- Quinn, Peterka, Kozak, benson
Next year benson vo UK ld gh o to Rochester without waivers
In D/G
SBP-Dahlin
SBP-XXX
SBP/ryan JOHNSON-Clifton
Lukkunenn
Levi( RFA,)
Byrum is an RFA
SBP= samuelson, byram, power
Given the RFAs they could be vulnerable to offer sheets. Especially Quinn at a max 2nd round comp level like what st Louis did.
I wouldnt be surprised with a big trade as t the time of the draft