<p>Will the Buffalo Sabres ever escape their endless rebuild?</p>
<p>Another year, another disappointment for the team in Northern New York. With a dismal 22-27-5 record and an Eastern Conference-low 48 points heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break, it’s all but certain the Sabres will miss the playoffs again. That’ll make it a staggering 14 straight seasons without a postseason appearance.</p>
<p>The last time they made the cut was in 2010-11. Compare that to the Detroit Red Wings (eight seasons) and Ottawa Senators (seven seasons), who are currently in Wild Card spots, and it’s clear: Buffalo’s rebuild is stuck in neutral.</p>
<p>The Sabres are expected to sell at the March 7 trade deadline, the big question is: who’s on the chopping block? Will they blow it up?</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Dylan Cozens</h2>
<p>Right-shot center Dylan Cozens has been swirling in trade rumours. The 24-year-old, drafted seventh overall in 2019, had a breakout year in 2022-23 with 31 goals and 68 points but hasn’t replicated that success this season. With just 11 goals and 27 points in 54 games, Cozens hasn’t lived up to his $7.1 million cap hit, which runs until 2029-30.</p>
<p>Yes, teams are interested, two-thirds of the NHL have reportedly inquired, but the big question is: does anyone, including the Edmonton Oilers, want to take on that contract? With a five-team no-trade clause kicking in before the 2027-28 season, moving Cozens could be tricky.</p>
<h2>Jason Zucker</h2>
<p>Enter Jason Zucker. The 33-year-old winger is having a solid year, putting up 18 goals and 41 points in 52 games, third and fourth-most on the Sabres, respectively. He’s on pace for 27 goals and 63 points, just shy of his career-best season.</p>
<p>Zucker’s a rental option with an expiring $5 million contract, making him a potentially affordable top-six addition for the Oilers. While he doesn’t kill penalties and isn’t a center, the Sabres could retain salary to sweeten the deal. If Edmonton is looking for a quick, cheap upgrade, Zucker might be their guy.</p>
<h2>Jordan Greenway</h2>
<p>At 6’6” and 227 pounds, Jordan Greenway brings size and physicality to the ice. The 27-year-old left winger has only played 20 games this season, tallying three goals and seven points, but he’s known for his gritty play and penalty-killing ability. Greenway has laid down 54 hits in limited action, making him an intriguing bottom-six option.</p>
<p>Set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, Greenway carries a manageable $3 million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list. Currently on Injured Reserve, he’s expected to return after the break—potentially just in time to be moved.</p>
<h2>Bowen Byram</h2>
<p>Could Bowen Byram be the key piece the Sabres dangle? The 23-year-old left-shot defenseman is having a strong season, with seven goals and 29 points in 54 games, just shy of his career-high numbers. But with Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power locked in as Buffalo’s top left-handed defensemen, Byram might be the odd man out.</p>
<p>Byram’s $3.85 million cap hit makes him an attractive target, and he’ll be a restricted free agent at season’s end. For a team like the Oilers, who need depth on defence, Byram could be a game-changer.</p>
<h2>Henri Jokiharju</h2>
<p>Henri Jokiharju isn’t flashy, but he could be a cost-effective addition for a team needing defensive depth. The Finnish right-shot defenseman has just one goal and four points in 39 games this season, but his career-best year in 2023-24 (20 points in 74 games) shows he can contribute when needed. He’s also seen time on the penalty kill, logging nearly 30 minutes shorthanded this season.</p>
<p>With a $3.1 million cap hit and no trade protection, Jokiharju is an affordable option. But is he the answer for a team like Edmonton? Probably not if they’re looking for a second-pairing defender.</p>
<h2>Connor Clifton</h2>
<p>If Edmonton wants a more reliable defensive presence, Connor Clifton might be worth a look. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman isn’t known for his offence (eight points in 48 games), but his physicality (139 hits, which would lead the Oilers) and penalty-killing ability make him a valuable asset. Clifton’s career-best season came in 2022-23 with Boston, where he tallied 23 points.</p>
<p>With a $3.333 million cap hit through 2025-26, Clifton offers term and stability. Pairing him with Darnell Nurse could bolster Edmonton’s blue line, giving them a steady, hard-hitting defender who occasionally chips in offensively.</p>
<h2>James Reimer</h2>
<p>Need a backup goalie? James Reimer’s name has surfaced as a potential target. The veteran netminder has struggled in limited action this year, posting a rough .864 save percentage with the Ducks before rebounding to .908 in nine games with the Sabres. His career numbers (.910 SV%, 2.88 GAA) suggest he can still be serviceable.</p>
<p>Reimer’s $1 million cap hit makes him an affordable rental, but is he really the solution for Edmonton? The Oilers would be wise to target a goalie capable of splitting starts with Stuart Skinner, rather than settling for a pure backup option.</p>
<p>The Sabres are once again sellers, and the clock is ticking to make moves before the trade deadline. Whether it’s Cozens, Zucker, or a blue-liner like Byram or Clifton, Buffalo has intriguing pieces to offer. But for a team stuck in perpetual rebuild mode, the bigger question remains: when will they finally take the leap forward? Until then, it’s just more of the same for Sabres fans—waiting, watching, and wondering if this roster will ever deliver.</p>
<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.</span></i></p>

Will the Buffalo Sabres ever escape their endless rebuild?

Another year, another disappointment for the team in Northern New York. With a dismal 22-27-5 record and an Eastern Conference-low 48 points heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break, it’s all but certain the Sabres will miss the playoffs again. That’ll make it a staggering 14 straight seasons without a postseason appearance.

The last time they made the cut was in 2010-11. Compare that to the Detroit Red Wings (eight seasons) and Ottawa Senators (seven seasons), who are currently in Wild Card spots, and it’s clear: Buffalo’s rebuild is stuck in neutral.

The Sabres are expected to sell at the March 7 trade deadline, the big question is: who’s on the chopping block? Will they blow it up?


<h2>Dylan Cozens</h2>
Right-shot center Dylan Cozens has been swirling in trade rumours. The 24-year-old, drafted seventh overall in 2019, had a breakout year in 2022-23 with 31 goals and 68 points but hasn’t replicated that success this season. With just 11 goals and 27 points in 54 games, Cozens hasn’t lived up to his $7.1 million cap hit, which runs until 2029-30.

Yes, teams are interested, two-thirds of the NHL have reportedly inquired, but the big question is: does anyone, including the Edmonton Oilers, want to take on that contract? With a five-team no-trade clause kicking in before the 2027-28 season, moving Cozens could be tricky.
<h2>Jason Zucker</h2>
Enter Jason Zucker. The 33-year-old winger is having a solid year, putting up 18 goals and 41 points in 52 games, third and fourth-most on the Sabres, respectively. He’s on pace for 27 goals and 63 points, just shy of his career-best season.

Zucker’s a rental option with an expiring $5 million contract, making him a potentially affordable top-six addition for the Oilers. While he doesn’t kill penalties and isn’t a center, the Sabres could retain salary to sweeten the deal. If Edmonton is looking for a quick, cheap upgrade, Zucker might be their guy.
<h2>Jordan Greenway</h2>
At 6’6” and 227 pounds, Jordan Greenway brings size and physicality to the ice. The 27-year-old left winger has only played 20 games this season, tallying three goals and seven points, but he’s known for his gritty play and penalty-killing ability. Greenway has laid down 54 hits in limited action, making him an intriguing bottom-six option.

Set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, Greenway carries a manageable $3 million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list. Currently on Injured Reserve, he’s expected to return after the break—potentially just in time to be moved.
<h2>Bowen Byram</h2>
Could Bowen Byram be the key piece the Sabres dangle? The 23-year-old left-shot defenseman is having a strong season, with seven goals and 29 points in 54 games, just shy of his career-high numbers. But with Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power locked in as Buffalo’s top left-handed defensemen, Byram might be the odd man out.

Byram’s $3.85 million cap hit makes him an attractive target, and he’ll be a restricted free agent at season’s end. For a team like the Oilers, who need depth on defence, Byram could be a game-changer.
<h2>Henri Jokiharju</h2>
Henri Jokiharju isn’t flashy, but he could be a cost-effective addition for a team needing defensive depth. The Finnish right-shot defenseman has just one goal and four points in 39 games this season, but his career-best year in 2023-24 (20 points in 74 games) shows he can contribute when needed. He’s also seen time on the penalty kill, logging nearly 30 minutes shorthanded this season.

With a $3.1 million cap hit and no trade protection, Jokiharju is an affordable option. But is he the answer for a team like Edmonton? Probably not if they’re looking for a second-pairing defender.
<h2>Connor Clifton</h2>
If Edmonton wants a more reliable defensive presence, Connor Clifton might be worth a look. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman isn’t known for his offence (eight points in 48 games), but his physicality (139 hits, which would lead the Oilers) and penalty-killing ability make him a valuable asset. Clifton’s career-best season came in 2022-23 with Boston, where he tallied 23 points.

With a $3.333 million cap hit through 2025-26, Clifton offers term and stability. Pairing him with Darnell Nurse could bolster Edmonton’s blue line, giving them a steady, hard-hitting defender who occasionally chips in offensively.
<h2>James Reimer</h2>
Need a backup goalie? James Reimer’s name has surfaced as a potential target. The veteran netminder has struggled in limited action this year, posting a rough .864 save percentage with the Ducks before rebounding to .908 in nine games with the Sabres. His career numbers (.910 SV%, 2.88 GAA) suggest he can still be serviceable.

Reimer’s $1 million cap hit makes him an affordable rental, but is he really the solution for Edmonton? The Oilers would be wise to target a goalie capable of splitting starts with Stuart Skinner, rather than settling for a pure backup option.

The Sabres are once again sellers, and the clock is ticking to make moves before the trade deadline. Whether it’s Cozens, Zucker, or a blue-liner like Byram or Clifton, Buffalo has intriguing pieces to offer. But for a team stuck in perpetual rebuild mode, the bigger question remains: when will they finally take the leap forward? Until then, it’s just more of the same for Sabres fans—waiting, watching, and wondering if this roster will ever deliver.

<hr />

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.</span></i>

The Sabres have interesting trade targets as the team moves toward another rebuild

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