Report: Sabres May Be "Hesitant" To Make Trades Due To History Of Failed Ones
Notable examples include Ryan O’Reilly, Sam Reinhart, Linus Ullmark, and Jack Eichel, who found success after leaving Buffalo, with O’Reilly and Eichel playing pivotal roles in Stanley Cup wins for their new teams.
Johnston remarked, “Every year, it seems like a quote-unquote failed Buffalo Sabre is leading his team to a Stanley Cup.” These experiences appear to weigh heavily on the organization as it works through decisions involving its young core.
JACK EICHEL SCORES HIS FIRST #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFF GOAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/7WpCtrzftU
— Chris (@CJKChel) April 21, 2023
This caution could influence the Sabres' approach to players like Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, with Frank Corrado speculating that the team is determined to avoid repeating history.
“Do you think Buffalo looks at a guy like Cozens or Quinn and says, ‘We’re just not going to let it happen again on our watch?’” he asked.
Johnston agreed, suggesting that the fear of another misstep has likely slowed trade discussions, even as the team explores potential deals to address immediate needs.
SAM REINHART FROM BEHIND THE GOAL LINE!! 😳
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2024
THIS GAME IS WILD!
📺: @SportsOnPrimeCA ➡️ https://t.co/93veFI9jrZ pic.twitter.com/fYyZXkPXZL
The Sabres’ wariness is compounded by their ongoing struggle to end the NHL’s longest playoff drought.
Years of instability in management, coaching, and roster construction have left the organization reluctant to take risks.
As Johnston noted, “It’s got to be a bit of a gunshy organization,” particularly as they weigh the need for patience against the pressures to improve a team that risks falling further behind if struggles persist into the season.
Here are some recent examples of Sabres trading away their star players and the returns they received:
Jack Eichel Trade
Date: November 4, 2021
Traded to: Vegas Golden Knights
Buffalo Received:
- Alex Tuch (forward)
- Peyton Krebs (forward)
- 2022 first-round pick: Noah Östlund (16th overall)
- 2023 second-round pick: Anton Wahlberg (39th overall)
Vegas Received:
- Jack Eichel (center)
- 2023 third-round pick: Mathieu Cataford (77th overall)
Ryan O'Reilly Trade
Date: July 1, 2018
Traded to: St. Louis Blues
Buffalo Received:
- Patrik Berglund (forward)
- Vladimir Sobotka (forward)
- Tage Thompson (forward)
- 2019 first-round pick: Ryan Johnson (31st overall)
- 2021 second-round pick: Prokhor Poltapov (33rd overall)
St. Louis Received:
- Ryan O'Reilly (center)
Sam Reinhart Trade
Date: July 24, 2021
Traded to: Florida Panthers
Buffalo Received:
- Devon Levi (goaltender prospect)
- 2022 first-round pick: Jiri Kulich (28th overall)
Florida Received:
- Sam Reinhart (center/wing)
