Confirmed Trade: [SJS/BUF] Michael Kesselring and 2026 1st round pick (27th overall) for 2026 1st round pick (20th overall)

[atlanticobserver]

Metsa was pretty dang good when I would see him play?

He was not good when I watched him against Tampa. Good things happened for TB a lot when he was out there. Either way, I think Kesselring is a way higher ceiling player

 

[Zman5778]

Thing is, Buffalo is prob losing Schenn and/or Stanley with only $11 mil of space to re-sign Benson and Krebs, maybe Malenstyn. Forget Tuch at this point, with their cap situation, he's gone. Tough to convince me Metsa and Timmins should be playing on the right over Kesselring in the long run. I think SJ probably just got a gift

To be fair.....Timmins absolutely nailed down the 3rd pair RD spot with his play at the beginning of the year and in the playoffs. And Kess showed that he absolutely cannot play his off hand.

Metsa did show that he can play his off hand and we still have Ryan Johnson who could be our 3rd pair LD.

Kess was undoubtedly a spare part for our D.....if we are keeping our top 4 together long term.

 

[Soundgarden]

I don't see it. I think 20 and 27 are largely the same tier.

Could be the difference between a Lin/Cullen/a faller and a Roobroeck, you never know.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

That’s a solid move by San Jose. Improving the D and not paying a very high price. Still need a couple of more adds but this is a good start to the off season. Greer has impressed so far although getting Celebrini certainly sped up the rebuild.

 

[DJJones]

Calgary moved from like 18th to 24th a few years ago. Think they got two thirds.

 

[sepHF]

nice deal for the Sharks

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Sabres' RD depth chart, without Kess: Dahlin, Byram, Timmins, Metsa.

I like this trade for SJ, but you can understand why Kess was deemed expendable.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Buffalo had such depth at defense. They could expend a player who didn’t quite work out for them to move up and potentially get a guy they think wouldn’t be available at 27

see that's the other thing.

It would be one thing if it were draft night and there was somebody on the board at 20 they REALLY wanted.

but we are 9 days away they have no idea who will be on the board

 

[sansabri]

whoa already trading firsts

 

[Chainshot]

I get why SJ did this they improve their top 4 and it only cost them 7 spots.

But if you are Buffalo why weaken your D just to move up 7 spots

He lost his confidence and lost his spot in the rotation to the husk of Luke Schenn and a 27-y.o. rookie who is only 5'9" in Zach Metsa. When he played this year, he struggled. With his arbitration pending, it's likely Buffalo wasn't willing to sink more money into this attempt to get Power a partner that didn't work out when they would rather extend Byram who has been both much better and just as bad at times in Buffalo.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

see that's the other thing.

It would be one thing if it were draft night and there was somebody on the board at 20 they REALLY wanted.

but we are 9 days away they have no idea who will be on the board

SJ did the same with Buffalo in 2024 moving up from 14 to 11, Days before the draft

 

[Yatzhee]

Good for Kessy, he gets the chance he’s been looking for. SJ fans will have fun watching him, be prepared to cuss at your tv while in the same game saying he’s ok.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I would not have traded Kesserling for that personally, but it seemed like it was inevitable they'd move him. Sorry to see him go. I think he will do great in SJ. Nice move from Grier, IMO.

 

[Yatzhee]

I like it for San Jose

You say that now…..
We shall see….

Signed: Sabres fans

 

[BB88]

Aren't Stanley and Schenn UFA, though? With those two out of the equation, Kesselring would probably have played. Barring additional moves, their RHDs under contract are Metsa and Timmins? This leaves them ~$12 mil in cap with Krebs and Benson needing new deals...I don't see how they're replacing Kesselring. I don't get it.

This is Jarmos 1st chance to build Buffalo his own team

He’ll bring in guys that fit his vision, I bet he’s still after a big fish

 

[Buckley]

Only GM doing a better job in the Pacific is McCrimmon. Grier has done a fantastic job in accumulating talent and assets in his time with SJ

Selling off guys to accumulate assets is the easy part. The rebuild is the hard part. Now, obviously, Celebrini makes things interesting, but I wouldn't be sending Grier flowers just yet. There is a lot of work to do to turn San Jose into a contending team.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Perfect trade for both teams

 

[Canovin]

San Jose going to turn the Buffalo pick for Nurse

 

[Pinkfloyd]

San Jose going to turn the Buffalo pick for Nurse

Nurse doesn't want to go to San Jose.

 

[Em etah Eh]

see that's the other thing.

It would be one thing if it were draft night and there was somebody on the board at 20 they REALLY wanted.

but we are 9 days away they have no idea who will be on the board

Perhaps Buffalo is trying to move even higher in the draft and couldn’t plan on making it all happen day of draft?

They got anything else expendable to move up to 15? Blues fan asking.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

San Jose going to turn the Buffalo pick for Nurse

Gross

No they won’t

 

[GetRidOfOettinger]

San Jose going to turn the Buffalo pick for Nurse

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take a 1st for them to get Nurse. Grier should probably be fired if he does that

 

[Canovin]

Nurse doesn't want to go to San Jose.

Has he given his list of teams?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Nurse doesn't want to go to San Jose.

Thank god

 

[Canovin]

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take a 1st for them to get Nurse. Grier should probably be fired if he does that

Top 20 pick for a 2nd pairing in Nurse-Kesselring is a hell of a haul