The Buffalo Sabres are facing several critical questions as they head into the offseason. A key decision involves their No. 27 draft pick, with a need for center experience but a surplus of players at that position. The Sabres might consider trading the pick to address potential depth issues on the wing if Alex Tuch departs in free agency. Tuch is reportedly seeking a deal around $10.625 million, and with little movement on negotiations, he might opt for free agency to bet on himself. The team also desperately needs a top-line center, as injuries to Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich, coupled with Tage Thompson’s shift to the wing, highlighted their faceoff struggles, where they ranked last in the league. Among their pending free agents, Zach Benson and Beck Malenstyn are considered priorities, while Bowen Byram’s contract situation will also be a focus, as he is eligible for an extension and will become a UFA next season.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues are preparing for significant changes with Alex Steen set to become the new General Manager on July 1st. Steen’s vision for the team emphasizes skilled, tough, unselfish, and coachable players who are invested in the process, acknowledging that this transformation will take time. The Blues are expected to move on from pending UFA Oskar Sundqvist and are unlikely to pursue veteran players via draft pick trades, preferring to allow their young talent to develop without obstruction. A predicted trade this offseason involves Jordan Kyrou being moved to the San Jose Sharks. The return for Kyrou isn’t expected to be a scoring winger, but rather a center or defenseman with a proven track record, high potential, or a history as a high draft pick. Kyrou’s no-trade clause gives him some leverage, and while the New York Islanders might be interested, his willingness to join them is uncertain. The value of Colton Parayko remains high for mentoring the younger players, and he would likely only be moved for an offer the team “can’t refuse.” An interesting trade scenario discussed is moving Jordan Binnington with 50% salary retention and the No. 29 pick for the No. 9 pick, though Florida might be hesitant to make such an exchange for a single year of Binnington.
