Sabres Strike Out On Day One As Teams Were Focused On Pick Swaps
The Buffalo Sabres were hoping to convert draft capital into players that could help them next season in pursuit of a playoff spot, but GM Kevyn Adams could not find a taker on the first day of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas on Friday.
"We were aggressive and there weren't trades that we could get other teams to agree to,” Adams said. “I think if I was to sum it up, I don't believe that there was a trade this year in the first round that involved an NHL player….but that's just the way these things go. We're going to do everything we can to make our roster better. That was what I was making clear to teams around the league. We were open to anything.”
The action around the league loosened up significantly on Day 2 Saturday, as forwards that were consistent with the Sabres need for size and experience up the middle were on the move. Winger Tanner Jeannot was dealt from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles for a pair of draft picks, and veteran center Kevin Hayes was dealt by St. Louis along with a second-round pick to Pittsburgh for future considerations.
The Sabres did take advantage of acquiring an extra second-round pick for trading down in the first round, swapping pick #43 to Washington for 26-year-old depth forward Beck Malenstyn.
"We're not necessarily trying to accumulate picks. We're trying to get assets to be able to make trades and make our roster better do whatever we can do to help our team now, which we'll continue to explore and do."
The inability to acquire any impact players in a trade could impact the Sabres decision on winger Jeff Skinner, who they would have to buyout before the window deadline on Sunday.
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