OTP - ESPN's Wyshynski On The Sabres Core Group 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. Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at players who could be potential trade targets this summer in advance of a year that has to be considered playoffs or bust. The Sabres have a window to make upgrades going into next season, with nearly $23 million in cap space, one of the NHL’s best prospect pools, and all their draft picks. Last summer, Adams was not willing to deal his first-round pick or youngsters such as Matthew Savoie, Jiri Kulich, or Isak Rosen, but now the thought is that the patient developmental approach will be abandoned and that Adams is looking to potentially make a move for a difference-maker who can play in the top six or a center that can provide a different aspect behind Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens. Tanner Jeannot – Left Wing (Tampa Bay Lightning) Contract status – signed through 2024-25 at $2.665 million AAV (RFA with arb rights in 2025) The Sabres are likely in the market for players who can play in their middle-six up front, who do not have significant term remaining on their deals, and provide an aspect of physicality to a lineup that at times got pushed around by some of their Eastern Conference counterparts. The deal on Tuesday sending defenseman Ryan McDonagh from Nashville to Tampa Bay will have significant ramifications to the Lightning’s roster going into the summer. McDonagh has two years remaining at $6.75 million per season and the Predators did not retain any of that salary. Tampa GM Julien Brisebois indicated after the trade that the acquisition did not effect the club’s desire to bring back team captain Steven Stamkos, but currently the Lightning has slightly over $5 million in cap space. Dealing defensemen such as Mikhail Sergachev or Erik Cernak would be counterproductive since the purpose of acquiring McDonagh was to solidify the Tampa blueline, and it is unlikely that Brisebois will ship out the likes of Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, or Nick Paul, who are all extended for multiple seasons. That could lead to the Lightning shopping veteran forward and former Sabre Conor Sheary (who makes $2 million the next two seasons), but the enticing target for Buffalo and a number of clubs may be Jeannot. The 26-year-old winger was signed by Nashville as an undrafted free agent in 2018 after scoring 40 goals with Moose Jaw of the WHL as an overager. After splitting time between the ECHL and AHL his first two pro seasons, Jeannot reached the NHL in 2021 and in his second season, scored 24 goals with the Preds. After slumping in his sophomore season, the Lightning traded five draft choices, including a 2025 first-round and 2024 second-round pick for Jeannot, but he had little impact in 20 games to finish out 2023 and once again struggled to recapture his rookie scoring prowess, with just seven goals in 55 games last season. The big bruising forward is a heavy checker and does not hesitate to drop the gloves when needed, but he has abilities other than the pugilistic. With no picks in the first two rounds the next two seasons, Tampa might be willing to deal Jeannot to recoup some of their draft capital and clear his cap hit. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1OTI0MDY2NDU5MTMzMjA2/img_5780.jpg] LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES Sabres Say They Are Ready For Accountability [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-say-they-are-ready-to-be-held-accountable] Ruff Sees Similarities Between Sabres And Former Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/ruff-sees-similarities-between-sabres-and-former-club] Ruff Hopes To Bring Winning Culture Back To Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/ruff-hopes-to-bring-winning-culture-back-to-buffalo]
