Report: Sabres GM Has Been “Active” in Trade Market

The Buffalo Sabres have cap space, and they intend to use it. Per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has been calling around the NHL looking to bolster the team via trade. Buffalo had an active offseason, adding five new forwards to the NHL roster, a slew of depth defensemen, and two goalies to the organization.

“One of the more active early-season general managers is Buffalo’s Kevyn Adams,” Friedman wrote in his ’32 Thoughts’ piece. “But he’s made it clear he does not wish to subtract. He’s trying to add.”

Friedman expanded on his thoughts on his 32 Thoughts Podcast with Kyle Bukauskas, mentioning that Adams is “not tearing it down”. “He’s to add to their team,” Friedman said. “I think they want to win this year.”

Sabres Trade Intentions

The report fits the speculation throughout the offseason that the Sabres are searching for a top-six forward to boost the second line. JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch have been a force to be reckoned with early in the season. However, things haven’t clicked as nicely for Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn.

Related: Ranking Sabres Forwards, Defense, and Goalies Among NHL Teams

Buffalo certainly has the ability to work out a deal for a bigger contract, with $7.19 million in cap space per PuckPedia. The salary cap being in the Sabres’ favor is a valuable asset in the trade market, with so many teams up against the cap.

Adams is likely testing the waters to see who, if anyone, has fallen out of favor early in the season. Laying the groundwork and letting his intentions be known both fall under the umbrella of being “active”, so Friedman’s report doesn’t necessarily mean that a trade is imminent or even going to occur.

Some potential pending free agents on struggling teams include:

• Frank Vatrano, Anaheim Ducks
• Robby Fabbri, Anaheim Ducks
• Mikael Granlund, San Jose Sharks
• Patrick Kane, Detroit Red Wings
• Brock Nelson, New York Islanders
• Kyle Palmieri, New York Islanders
• Gustav Nyquist, Nashville Predators
• Taylor Hall, Chicago Blackhawks
• Ryan Donato, Chicago Blackhawks