Locked On Sabres - Daily Podcast On The Buffalo Sabres

Before the NHL Draft on Friday night, Jarmo Kekäläinen swung a trade to help replace the departure of Bowen Byram for the short-term, and maybe the long-term, acquiring defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks. Zellweger is a 22-year old, small defenseman, who is one of the fastest blueliners in the entire NHL. He also has the skill to score goals and setup chances in the offensive zone. The perfect type of defenseman for Lindy Ruff's system. Especially if Zellweger plays with Owen Power, he's a prime candidate to show up in Buffalo and breakout in 2026-27. Zellweger does need a contract, which will be an interesting one for Jarmo and company.

Plus, more about the three forwards the Sabres drafted in rounds four, five, and six of the NHL Draft. All of which read like the same type of player. Defensive minded forwards that could factor into the Sabres bottom-six in the future. All potential Anton Wahlberg replacements in the system.

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Many were expecting the Buffalo Sabres to trade at least one of the 4th and 20th overall picks in the 1st round of the NHL Draft, if not both. On a night that did not feature much in the way of trades, the Sabres stayed put to draft defenseman Daxon Rudolph from the Prince Albert Raiders and center Ilia Morozov of Miami (OH). Rudolph was a surprise to most being the top defenseman picked in the NHL Draft. However, Rudolph was a part of the top tier of blueliners in this draft and a case could've been made for any of the five to go first. So, why did the Sabres take him over Chase Reid? Rudolph is the best pure offensive defenseman in the draft and could be someone that puts up massive points in the NHL. His shot and puck-carrying abilities jump off the page as traits that will fit perfect in Buffalo in the future.

Plus, Ilia Morozov at pick-20 is a defensive center, that already has an NHL body, and became his team's top centerman in college hockey at just 17 years old. The big question about Morozov will be can he score at a reasonable level in the NHL?

Finally, why Joe is still confident the Sabres can trade for Connor Hellebuyck, who reportedly will waive his no movement clause for the Sabres if they get the deal done.

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KALSHI

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There's an expectation that the Buffalo Sabres will, or are at least trying to, trade their 4th overall pick before they're on the clock in the 1st round on Friday night in Buffalo. However, if the Sabres stay and make the pick, there are tons of great ideas. Sebastian High of Locked On NHL Prospects joins the show for an in-depth look at the top guys likely to be available at #4, including small scrappy center Viggo Björck, top defense prospect Chase Reid, or maybe Swedish phenom Ivar Stenberg if he were to fall a couple of picks. Björck might be a Zach Benson clone. Reid "would fit like a glove" into the Sabres attack system on the blueline. Stenberg could be a legit superstar for the Sabres. And there are plenty of more names to talk about.

Plus, which star players available are worth trading the 4th pick for? Is Matthew Knies one of them? And also a look at who will be sitting there for the Sabres with the 20th pick in the 1st round, if they haven't traded that pick too.

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Odoo

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KALSHI

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Alex Tuch is signing an 8-year contract extension worth $10.5M per year, but with the Washington Capitals. The Buffalo Sabres after not managing to get a deal done with Tuch, trade his rights for a 3rd round pick and forward David Kampf. While many are thankful the Sabres didn't meet Tuch's asking price, the price he ends up going for would not have had the long-term consequences many would fear. If Tuch plays four or five really good seasons with the Capitals, they'll be perfectly happy with the deal they made. Plus, the Sabres are being connected to Vincent Trocheck, who is likely to get traded away by the New York Rangers.

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Odoo

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KALSHI

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Jarmo Kekäläinen has made his first monster move as GM of the Buffalo Sabres, and he's done something no GM has done in 18 years. Acquire a top-five draft pick from another team. The Sabres send Bo Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, along with Jordan Greenway and his $4M salary, for the 4th overall pick, the 45th pick, and giant defenseman Louis Crevier. A trade that is being celebrated as "larceny" committed by the Sabres by those that cover the league. With the 4th pick now in his pocket, should Jarmo make the pick? Or trade it? It will likely depend if Matthew Knies can be had from Toronto or if Swedish phenom Ivar Stenberg falls to the Sabres at four. Plus, why Greenway's contact being moved off the books is so important. And more about the Sabres new defenseman in Louis Crevier.

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Odoo

Indeed

KALSHI

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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There are rumors about the Buffalo Sabres in the goalie market, both with Connor Hellebuyck and now Sergei Bobrovsky. Hellebuyck remains the best idea out there, but is signing Bobrovsky in free agency better than running it back with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon? Bobrvosky has experience with Jarmo Kekäläinen in Columbus, is a multiple Stanley Cup champion, but is coming off maybe the worst season of his career and is 38-years old. The risk in Bobrovsky as an acquisition is much much higher than it is with Hellebuyck.

Plus, a new report puts more pessimism about re-signing Alex Tuch, Bo Byram gets connected to Nashville, and the Panthers make the big swing for Brady Tkachuk. Sneaky Joe believes that the Tkachuk grade puts pressure on everyone in the Atlantic Division, including the Sabres, to keep up with the Panthers. The Atlantic Division has become an arms race and the Sabres shouldn't sit it out.

Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.

Odoo

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KALSHI

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The Buffalo Sabres should be searching for help on their powerplay this offseason and there are a few ideas in free agency. One of which is Patrik Laine, who Jarmo Kekäläinen made a big swing trade to get back in his Columbus days. Laine is horrible defensively, isn't very good at 5-on-5 anymore, and cannot stay healthy. Sooo, why should the Sabres sign him? Two reasons. Powerplay. Bonus laden contract. Laine could really help the Sabres man advantage. And because he missed all of last year with an injury, he's eligible to a performance bonus heavy contract, meaning the Sabres could get him for a minimal cap hit on a one year deal. But would Lindy Ruff pull his hair out coaching this guy? Plus, the Sabres and Zach Benson sound close to a long-term 7-year extension.

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Jarmo Kekäläinen said at the end of the season that he wants to get Bo Byram on a long-term contract extension. That doesn't appear to be on the way to happening. Darren Dreger reports that multiple teams are in trade talks with the Sabres about acquiring Byram. The indication is that Byram is being non-committal about staying in Buffalo on another deal, as he will never get the opportunity to be a top-defenseman. It makes sense that after a career of being behind Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin, Byram would want to go to a place to be a #1 defenseman. The Sabres should act proactively and trade Byram before another Alex Tuch situation presents itself and it sounds like that is what they're doing.

A return package for Byram should entail getting a legit top-six forward that can replace Alex Tuch in the lineup. Matthew Knies? The Toronto Maple Leafs winger has been surrounded by trade rumors, and there's plenty of reason to believe he's not a fan of the new Leafs GM. Knies is the exact time of player the Sabres should be looking to get for Byram.

Plus, a weird Devon Levi rumor that makes little to no sense.

Decagon

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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