Insider Provides Best Defensive Deadline Addition For Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are in a dogfight for one of the two wildcard spots this season with four other teams. It appears as though they are destined to make at least one addition at the trade deadline to bolster their lineup and finally end their postseason drought. As a general manager of the team that is this close, Kevyn Adams must buy.

The Sabres could realistically add in a number of areas seeing as they have the need and cap space to do so, but they also don't want to go all-in and give up too much of their future for one season. That being said, Dan Rosen, NHL senior writer, suggested one player in particular that the Sabres should target, Joel Edmundson.

The Montreal Canadiens' defender wouldn't be a rental seeing as he is signed for one more season at $3.5 million AAV. Edmundson isn't overly expensive and has a veteran presence and experience that would not only help out the young Sabres' defence, but also the team as a whole. He won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues and went to the final with the Canadiens, pushing his playoff total to 75 career games.

Edmundson plays a physical game focused on the defensive side. Seeing as the Sabres have no problem scoring goals and need help in their own end, he fits their needs. He can either slot into the top-four or on the third pair while being an effective penalty killer as well. Though the Sabres may have to be willing to part with a first round pick because of the term on Edmundson's contract, they have three second round picks that could make up for that or to execute a deal.