Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers Potential Blockbuster?

The Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers aren’t expected to do much in the last days before the NHL trade deadline in terms of a ‘hockey trade’.  My idea could change that.

Both Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers fans have suffered through multiple difficult seasons.  With both expected to pick in the top five of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft each team will select a high-quality prospect to help turn things around.  Perhaps these are the future teams for Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.  But there is a trade possibility that before Monday’s deadline that makes sense for both teams now and in the future.

First, a disclaimer.  The hypothetical trade you will see below is my idea.  It has not been suggested, reported or rumored elsewhere.  While the players themselves may have various rumors connected to them, this specific trade is not one of them.  This is purely speculation.  With that said let’s break down this potential scenario:

The idea for this deal came to me listening to WGR 550 in Buffalo and hearing this interview with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog and Sabres GM Tim Murray.  At the 16:23 mark Schopp asks Murray about the Evander Kane trade and whether or not that trade gets done if Kane is healthy, and Murray responds and starts to mention talking to Edmonton before correcting himself to Winnipeg.  This could mean Murray has talked to Edmonton and it could also mean absolutely nothing.  If they have discusd various players the above trade is the most interesting for me to consider.

For the Edmonton Oilers the key to this deal would be Mark Pysyk, an NHL-ready defenseman that can play now.  The blue line for Edmonton is in a state of change with Jeff Petry an unrestricted free agent with rumors swirling around him.  Justin Schultz, Keith Aulie and Martin Marincin are all restricted free agents at season’s end according to spotrac.com.  While Schultz and Marincin appear to be part of the Oilers plans going forward, and Darnell Nurse still in the fold, the acquisition of Pysyk would give the Edmonton Oilers flexibility to let Nurse develop in Sault Ste. Marie.  They could then sign Schultz, Marincin and Pysyk (a restricted free agent after the year) and suddenly the Oilers defensive woes start to disappear.

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Neuvirth would provide an upgrade over Fasth right away and give him the chance to compete with Ben Scrivens for the starting job.  While neither goalie is Pekka Rinne or Carey Price, both have played quality hockey in their careers and would fare better behind a better defense which Pysyk would give.  The first round pick is also important because of what the Buffalo Sabres would expect in return.  The pick in this scenario would be the higher of the St. Louis Blues or New York Islanders selections as the lower was sent to Winnipeg in the deal for Evander Kane.  The third round pick is essentially for Fasth and ensuring the Oilers aren’t carrying three goaltenders.

The Buffalo Sabres in this proposal would pick up the best player in the deal in Hall, a bonafide star who may be wearing out his welcome in Edmonton.  He is also coming back from an injury in the next few weeks and the Sabres might be content to let Hall take all the time he needs in recovering, perhaps next season.  Sounds similar to the Evander Kane deal, so there is precedent here.  That helps the Buffalo Sabres finish last in the league and secure either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.  Having Anders Lindback as your starter, he of the .875 save percentage in 10 appearances this year,  doesn’t hurt the “LET’S FINISH LAST!” effort either.  Both Lindback and Fasth would likely not be retained by the Buffalo Sabres after this season.

Fans of the Buffalo Sabres would have plenty to look forward to next season after a trade like this.  The forwards would include Kane, Hall, Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons, and potentially Sam Reinhart and Mikhail Grigorenko.  An offense like this and the Buffalo Sabres will be looking at fewer teams willing to rest starting goaltenders against them.  Immediately they become more formidable up front and that doesn’t include the grit that Nicolas Deslauriers and Marcus Foligno give.

While neither the Edmonton Oilers nor Buffalo Sabres would be drastically improved this season the main reason this deal wouldn’t happen is the Arizona Coyotes.  The next 48 hours for the Coyotes are expected to be filled with trades for picks and prospects, pulling talent off of the NHL roster which has lost eight in a row as it is.  If the goal for the Sabres or Oilers is to finish 30th, Arizona is the only real threat to that and this trade idea could push both teams out of the running.  Not that Ben Scrivens cares or should care about that.

If the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers made this deal or one similar it’s a fair deal for both sides that provides each franchise with solutions to immediate needs.  The trade would carry significant risk not otherwise found because of the top of the upcoming draft class.  But if the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers make this hypothetical deal I completely made up on my own – AND finish with the top two picks in the draft – you could be looking at two playoff teams next season.

Next: Chicago Blackhawks in Awkward Position

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