Buffalo Sabers Must Trade Their First-Round Talent – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

The Buffalo Sabers are coming off a great season where they won the Atlantic Division and are just one goal away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals. Now that the focus is on the offseason, they still have a need on the roster, and that’s another villain other than Rasmus Dahlin, especially among the forwards. That being said, the Sabers need to take an approach to looking at trading their first round pick, which is currently the 27th pick.

Sell ​​Pick for Number One Center

The Sabers are in a place now where it’s time to compete and make additions to the roster that will make an immediate impact, whether that’s depth pieces or a star player whose name is around the trade block.

During the playoffs, there seemed to be a lot of tension in the frontcourt, especially in the middle. In the team’s second round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Lindy Ruff had to make some system changes as the team was not productive offensively.

He moved Tage Thompson from right wing, Josh Norris to center on the first line, and Zach Benson from left wing. Once Thompson moved to the wing, the center depth disappeared, and even with him under center, the team had the second-worst shooting percentage in the playoffs at 45.7%. They also finished the regular season with the worst faceoff percentage in the league at 45.9%.

The Sabers need to improve the point guard and find a true number one center that gives Thompson the ability to play on the wing without feeling like they lack depth at center.

The team has been in the trade rumors surrounding the St. Louis center. Louis Blues Robert Thomas for several months. Per Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston, the Sabers were in the running to acquire Thomas at the 2026 trade deadline. He has five years left on his current contract, which is worth $8.125 million per season.

He is exactly the type of player the Sabers need to add to the roster. Not only has he been a point-per-game performer in four of the past five seasons, the only exception being 0.89 points per game season, but he’s also won faceoffs at a 52.5% clip, which was one of the highest marks for the Sabers this season.

Despite his offensive ability to look up and faceoff, his defensive game is very underwhelming. According to Evolving Hockey, he ranks in the 85th percentile defensively. For someone who is considered one of the best players in the league, he also plays a full 200-meter game, which is exactly what Ruff has been preaching to the Sabres. Thomas is an excellent host.

Another player who should definitely be on the Sabres’ radar is New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier. Hischier recorded 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists), but his game goes beyond point production. He is a leader on and off the ice, brings a complete 200‑foot game, and helps fill a big hole at the dot facing the faceoff with a 55.8% success rate.

He has one year left on his current $7.25 million contract. If I’m general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen, I’m calling New Jersey to see what his availability is and what the price will be to get him out.

Ownership has changed

Over the past 14 seasons, the Sabers’ ownership has been defined by one word: rebuild. All major decisions are about raising capital in the draft, adding opportunities, and hoping that long-term development will eventually produce a competitive core. The goal wasn’t to win now, it was to build something strength win later.

But that time is over. The Sabers have officially transitioned from a rebuilding team to a team expecting to officially compete in the Stanley Cup chase. The list is no longer made up of placeholders and hopefuls. It’s built around franchise pillars and depth pieces to help support a deep playoff run.

Using a pick to find a bona fide star is not just an option; it is a necessity. The Buffaloes finally have a chance to separate themselves from the crowded Eastern Conference, and adding another 18-year-old who won’t contribute for two to three years does nothing to help the current team take the next step.

If the Sabers want to make a deep playoff run next season, and the seasons after, moving a 2026 first-round pick could be one of the most important decisions they make. This is the moment when the franchise stops thinking of itself as a rebuilding team and starts to position itself as a contender. The window is opening, the core is ready, and the opportunity to add top talent is right in front of them.

Trading options does not ruin the future. It invests in the present and strengthens the future at the same time.

Sometimes, every rising team reaches a crossroads where they have to decide when it’s time to start helping push the team forward in contention, and right now, the Sabers’ window is opening, and they have to take advantage of it.