Johnson and Lyubushkin could be on the move before the March 8th trade deadline
The Buffalo Sabres are expected to be sellers at the NHL trade deadline, but only one of their six pending unrestricted free agents is listed on TSN’s Top 50 Trade Bait board.
Calgary blueliner Noah Hanifin, who was rumored to be of interest of the Sabres last summer, is at the top of the list after talks of a contract extension with the Flames evaporated earlier this month, while teammate Chris Tanev is second.
Sabres blueliner Erik Johnson, who might be a Plan B option for clubs who lose out in the Tanev sweepstakes, is #34 on the list.
Johnson signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Sabres last summer, in part to be a mentor to young blueliners Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, but also to help Buffalo get over the hump and snap the club’s long playoff drought. Although the 2006 top overall pick has been a good influence in the Sabres locker room, his play has dipped recently, which will make it difficult for GM Kevyn Adams to get a tangible asset for him.
Adams may also be fielding offers for other players on expiring contracts, such as forwards Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo, Eric Robinson, Zemgus Girgensons, and Tyson Jost, but the Sabres may have to retain salary on some to get any value in return.
Also on the list is former Sabre Ilya Lyubushkin. The 29-year-old played 68 games for Buffalo last season but was traded in August to Anaheim for a fourth-round pick in 2025. Both Johnson and Lyubushkin will be in demand because they shoot right-handed.
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