Buffalo Sabres Eye Luke Schenn Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Buffalo Sabres have transformed their narrative this season, shifting from expected sellers to playoff contenders. After a challenging start that left them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Sabres have surged since December, positioning themselves to potentially end their 14-year playoff drought. This unexpected turnaround has prompted GM Jarmo Kekalainen to reassess the team’s approach as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6.

With the Sabres now eyeing a spot in the top three of the Atlantic Division, it seems increasingly unlikely that they will part ways with pending unrestricted free agent winger Alex Tuch. Instead, the focus has shifted to bolstering the team’s defensive depth, particularly on the right side. Injuries to Michael Kesselring and the ongoing recovery of Conor Timmins from a broken leg have highlighted the need for reinforcement in this area.

Recent reports from The Athletic have suggested the Sabres might explore a trade for veteran Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy. However, another compelling option for Kekalainen could be Winnipeg Jets blueliner Luke Schenn. The 36-year-old defenseman, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, has carved out a career playing for ten different NHL teams since being drafted fifth overall by Toronto in 2008.

Schenn’s experience and physical play make him an attractive candidate. This season, he has been utilized part-time with the Jets after being acquired from Pittsburgh at last year’s trade deadline. With Winnipeg currently out of the playoff picture, they are likely to look to trade Schenn to recoup some draft capital before the deadline. His contract, the final year of a two-year deal worth $2.75 million, presents a more manageable salary cap fit compared to Murphy’s $4.4 million AAV.

The expected cost for a rental defenseman like Schenn is around a third-round pick, a price the Sabres may find acceptable, especially since they are missing their second-round pick from the Dylan Cozens – Josh Norris deal. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Buffalo to see how they navigate this pivotal moment in their season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.