Blackhawks Linked To Sabres' Sniper To Bolster Wing

This offseason, the Chicago Blackhawks had to quickly change directions as they weren't bringing back a number of players that played on their team last season, but won the draft lottery and had to bring in some talent.

This started with the acquisition of Taylor Hall to play alongside Connor Bedard and the signings of Andreas Athanasiou, Corey Perry, and Nick Foligno. Despite overpaying veterans to provide leadership and mentorship on and off the ice for the young players filling the roster, the Blackhawks still need a little bit more. That can come from the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres definitely have more than enough talent on their roster and should still have a couple of moves ahead of them this offseason. While the defense is a conversation for another time, the team may very well look at finding the right destination for Victor Olofsson. He even believes that he will be traded this offseason and spots are hard to come by for the young players on the Sabres' roster. Moving Olofsson would free up $4.5 million (not necessarily needed yet) and give an opportunity to the many prospects/young highly skilled forwards to compete for a spot on the team. The Sabres are looking to stay relatively young and want to give their young players opportunities.

The Blackhawks would likely only have to give up very little in return to get the top-six sniper who can also provide solid offense on the power play. I'd argue that Philip Kurahsev is playing above his weight class on the second line and Olofsson can take the pressure off him for now.