The Buffalo Sabres are off to a stumbling start, going 0-3-0 through the opening week of the season before thumping the Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] 8-4 on Wednesday. It doesn't help matters that Josh Norris is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, leaving them in need of depth at center. Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic recently looked at several options [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6709747/2025/10/12/buffalo-sabres-josh-norris-injury/] for the Sabres to address that issue. One could be looking for help in the trade market. Fairburn suggested the Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] pursue Rickard Rakell. The 32-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] forward has been a winger for much of his NHL career, but he has played center in the past. He's signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million, and had a career high of 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games last season with the struggling Penguins. Rakell frequently surfaced in trade rumors during the off-season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-the-penguins-and-maple-leafs] and pre-season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-penguins-speculation-canucks-management-on-the-hot-seat]. He carries an eight-team no-trade list, which Fairburn acknowledged could be a problem for the Sabres. The Sabres should consider other trade targets. According to Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Rakell is happy [https://triblive.com/sports/with-growing-family-and-optimism-intact-penguins-rickard-rakell-wants-to-stay-put/] with the Penguins and wants to remain in Pittsburgh. Nick Robertson (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1e594137-b2d8-410e-89ae-6007e4f84ae6.jpeg] Nick Robertson (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) In Toronto, Nick Robertson's ongoing struggle to earn a larger role with the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] has again made him the subject of trade conjecture. Robertson initially surfaced in the rumor mill during the summer of 2024 when he requested a trade from the Leafs before eventually signing a one-year contract. This summer, he and the Leafs avoided arbitration [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-could-the-avalanche-trade-samuel-girard-will-the-maple-leafs-peddle-nick-robertson] as he agreed to a one-year, $1.825 million deal. TSN's Darren Dreger reports the Maple Leafs' depth at forward makes it difficult [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/insider-trading-hughes-gorton-sign-extensions-with-canadians/] for Robertson to move up into a top-six role. He said that GM Brad Treliving has spoken with several clubs that may have an interest in the 24-year-old left winger. Treliving could use Robertson as a trade chip to address any roster issues that arise during this season. However, they might have to bundle him with a draft pick or a prospect to get something worthwhile in return. Meanwhile, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames] could be looking at upgrading their backup goalie position. During Monday's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, he indicated that they were talking to other clubs [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/do-not-overreact-to-2-games/] about a goaltender. Friedman stated that the Flames intend to give Devin Cooley a fair shot to establish himself as Dustin Wolf's understudy. If they add another netminder, they would have four on one-way contracts. He claimed that the teams the Flames have spoken with want an incentive to take one of those extra goalies in return. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
