Will the Buffalo Sabres add another forward before the NHL season?
There's speculation about that and RFA Peyton Krebs, while the Winnipeg Jets still have Nikolaj Ehlers.
Peyton Krebs tosses a puck to a fan before a game against the Winnipeg Jets in November 2023. James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Sabres' buyout of Jeff Skinner and their addition of Jason Zucker still left their fans wondering if they might add another forward before the start of this season.
In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News was asked if the Sabres remained interested in Joel Farabee. The 24-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill last season.
Lysowski pointed out that the Sabres have more than $8.4 million in cap space, with RFA Peyton Krebs still to re-sign. Nevertheless, he felt GM Kevyn Adams still has sufficient space to add to his roster before training camp or during the season.
Farabee has two 20-plus goal seasons on his resume. Lysowski felt the Sabres could be open to that type of move for the right price. However, he suggested the Flyers winger could be a concern as he underwent the same artificial disc replacement that the Sabres wouldn't allow for Jack Eichel in 2021.
Speaking of Krebs, The Hockey News' Michael Augello recently observed he remains without a contract. He pointed out the 23-year-old center has struggled to establish his role, spending most of last season on the Sabres' fourth line. He's also currently projected as a scratch on THN.com's lineups site.
Augello noted that Krebs was linked last season to the Flyers, suggesting the possibility of packaging him for Farabee. Michael DeRosa included Krebs with Jordan Greenway and Mattias Samuelsson as the Sabres' three trade candidates heading into 2024-25.
It remains to be seen if Adams is pursuing Farabee or another forward as training camp nears and if Krebs will become trade bait. Given the Sabres' cap flexibility and depth in promising prospects to draw on as trade bait, it wouldn't be surprising if Adams makes a splash in the trade market.
Nikolaj Ehlers Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Turning to the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers was a frequent topic of trade speculation leading up to the 2024 NHL draft in late June. However, the rumors have faded, increasing the likelihood the 28-year-old winger will still be with the Jets this season.
Ehlers will play for his native Denmark in Olympic qualifying later this month. The Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck reports Jets coach Scott Arniel believes this could be a good jumpstart to the season for him. Arniel stressed that the Jets need Ehlers' goals, speed and ability to skate among their top-six forwards.
Ehlers may get traded before the start of the season. Based on Arniel's remarks, however, the Danish forward could be back for his 10th season with the Jets.
