Sabres Scout Flames vs. Bruins Game – Who Could Be on Their Radar?
The Sabres were one of the many teams with scouts at the Flames vs. Bruins game last night. Who could they have been watching?
© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports - Sabres Scout Flames vs. Bruins Game – Who Could Be on Their Radar?The Calgary Flames got a big win against the Eastern Conference-best Boston Bruins last night, defeating them by a 4-1 final score. Interestingly enough, the Buffalo Sabres were connected to this matchup, as they were one of the many teams that had a scout there, as reported by The Fourth Period's Shawn Hutcheon.
This is certainly intriguing, as the Sabres are not viewed as buyers heading toward the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. However, it is clear that their scouting department is still doing their due diligence. As a result, which specific players could they have been watching extra closely during the contest?
From the Flames side of things, defenseman Chris Tanev stands out. He is a top-four, right-shot shutdown defenseman, which is something that the Sabres desperately need. Yet, he is also a pending UFA, so he would not make sense as a trade target unless the veteran was open to signing an extension upon his arrival. Given where the Sabres are right now and Tanev being in his mid-30s, it is hard to feel confident that he would.
Flames top trade candidate Noah Hanifin also could be a player that the Sabres paid attention to. While he is a left-shot defenseman, he would be a massive addition to the Sabres' blue line, as he can play top-pairing minutes and plays a strong two-way game. However, similar to Tanev, the only way a Hanifin addition would be worthwhile is if the 27-year-old were open to signing an extension. The Sabres are obviously not in a place to bring in players as rentals. However, they also have the money to give him the kind of deal he would be looking for.
Moving onto the Bruins, they are planning to be buyers, so they are not going to part ways with any of their key players. Yet, if the Sabres were to do business with Boston, they have a young, scrappy forward in Jakub Lauko who could intrigue them.
The Sabres are not necessarily yearning for forwards right now, but a player like Lauko could give their fourth line some bite beyond this season. The Bruins also have been viewed as a possible landing spot for Victor Olofsson, so maybe Lauko could be somebody to consider as a possible return in a hypothetical move.
One Bruins prospect who could be worth watching is Johnny Beecher. The 2019 first-round pick is currently playing in the AHL, but he performed well at times as the club's 4C before his demotion. In 39 games this season with Boston, the Elmira native has five goals, two assists, and 60 hits.
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