My guess is because he just got there after being held back a bit in Edmonton and is one arb away from a deal that will walk him to ufa.
The skater probably wants opportunity that perhaps wasn’t anvailable when you’re developing behind McDavid, draisaitl, and rnh, and will use his contract status to get it. Buffalo certainly could give it, but…
Given the state of the rental market, a 25 year old center who wants a top 6 role and has no contract next season would take home the top prize of the deadline - not priced as a rental, but a bidding war instead;, the Sabres would be able to get so many teams interested they’d probably get one outlandish offer. It is way easier to see happening than them trading some young guy who has a 7 year contract, but that guy gets an article a week about his trade worthiness. I’m picking the guy who doesn’t have a deal next year, who just got there and didn’t extend.
Can’t convince me Detroit wouldn’t be pleased with a deal here after copp’s injury. Or Anahiem. Or Minnesota. Maybe St. Louis I’m just biased to my team but we don’t have the right asset to send back tbh.