This Lightning forward is being viewed as a potential target for the Sabres.

The Tampa Bay Lightning made a massive move earlier this week, bringing back defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators. 

With this move, the Lightning's defense has dramatically improved. However, it has also put them in a tough spot financially, as they have only a little over $5 million of cap space heading into the offseason. Star forward Steven Stamkos also needs his next deal.

Because of this, there is a real expectation that the Lightning will move out at least one contract before free agency begins. One player who has become a potential trade candidate is forward Tanner Jeannot. The gritty winger carries a $2.665 million cap hit and is coming off a tough season. 

Due to Jeannot's potential availability, The Hockey News Buffalo's Michael Augello named the 26-year-old forward a potential target for the Buffalo Sabres. Augello argued that the Sabres would likely be hunting for hard-nosed, gritty forwards without too much term for their middle six, and Jeannot would give Buffalo just that. 

The Sabres' bottom six is certainly in for a makeover, as free agents Zemgus Girgensons, Tyson Jost, Victor Olofsson, and Eric Robinson are all not expected back. Thus, a player like Jeannot could make sense for the Sabres. The Sabres also have the cap space to take a shot on him. 

While Jeannot had a bit of an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign, there could be interest in him this summer. Teams value toughness, and the Oxbow native has also shown in the past that he can be an impactful scorer. During his rookie year in 2021-22, he had 24 goals and 41 points.

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