The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell’s name has been mentioned in tandem with teammate Bryan Rust as a likely victim GM Kyle Dubas tearing the aging club down to the studs,  and praying that they win the lottery again next spring to select Gavin McKenna next June. The 32-year-old was acquired from Anaheim in 2022 after spending nine seasons in Southern Califorina and last season like Rust he posted a career-high in goals (35) and points (70). 

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An aspect that would be extremely attractive to the Sabres is the cost certainty ($5 million AAV) on the second-half of a front-loaded six-year deal, and that Rakell has played the majority of the last three-plus seasons in Pittsburgh in their top-six. The aspect that may cause some issues for Buffalo is that his deal has a eight-team modified no-trade, and like many players with such clauses, the Sabres are likely on that list. 

 What Would It Cost?

The issue for Buffalo is not a lack of attractive pieces that Dubas would be interested in, it will be that half the league will be in competition with Rakell, as they will be for Rust. Youngsters like Zach Benson or Jack Quinn, who have two or more years of NHL experience under their belt would have to be part of the package, along with a secondary prospect like Isak Rosen or Noah Ostlund, or a lottery-protected first round pick.  

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