Veteran winger could be a perfect fit to provide energy to bottom-six in Buffalo
Veteran winger could be a perfect fit to provide energy to bottom-six in Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres face a season where accountability will be stressed under head coach Lindy Ruff and areas of need will have to be addressed by GM Kevyn Adams for the club to snap their 13-year playoff drought. We have been taking a look at players who could be potential trade targets this summer over the last few weeks in advance of a year that has to be considered playoffs or bust.
Brandon Tanev – Wing (Seattle Kraken)
Contract status – signed through 2024-25 at $3.5 million AAV
Another potential candidate who fits the criteria of fitting in with the Sabres in more of a depth role and someone who does not have significant term remaining on their contract is Tanev, a nine-year NHL veteran who has played for Winnipeg and Pittsburgh before being claimed in the expansion draft by Seattle in 2021.
The brother of Stars defenseman Chris Tanev, the 32-year-old Toronto native played four years at Providence College before signing with the Jets as an undrafted unrestricted free agent. After three years in Manitoba and scoring 14 goals in 2019, he signed a six-year, $21 million contract with the Penguins and played mostly a third-line energy forward/penalty-killing role. After joining the Kraken, he missed the second half of the 2021-22 season with an ACL injury but returned the next season with a career-best 16 goals and 35 points.
Last season, Tanev regressed to 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 66 games. The Sabres are looking for physicality and energy in their bottom-six and the veteran winger would seem to be a good fit. The Kraken are likely beginning a reset after firing head coach Dave Hakstol. GM Ron Francis could be open to moving Tanev in advance of July 1 to open up $3.5 million in cap space to spend in free agency, and that fact might limit his trade value to mid-round draft choice or second-level prospect.
The Sabres have the benefit of a number of players on their entry-level contracts next season and that would give them the ability to take all of Tanev’s cap hit.
LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES
Sabres Say They Are Ready For Accountability