The Buffalo Sabres are finally relevant in January. Let that sink in for a second. After years of being the team everyone used as a punching bag by Christmas, we're actually talking about Buffalo Sabres trade news in the context of a playoff race. It feels weird, right? But with the trade deadline looming on March 6, 2026, the vibe around KeyBank Center has shifted from "Who can we sell for a second-round pick?" to "Who is the missing piece for a deep run?"
Honestly, the biggest story isn't even a player. It’s the front office. When Jarmo Kekäläinen took over as General Manager on December 15, everything changed. He didn't just walk in and sit down; he brought Marc Bergevin with him as Associate GM. You've got two of the most aggressive, "swing-for-the-fence" executives in recent hockey history running the show in Buffalo. If you thought the old regime was conservative, buckle up.
The Artemi Panarin Rumors Are Getting Loud
If you’re looking for the biggest name in the Buffalo Sabres trade news cycle right now, it’s Artemi Panarin. Yeah, the Bread Man.
The New York Rangers are having a nightmare season, sitting near the bottom of the East. Panarin is 34, a pending UFA, and reportedly won't take a discount to stay in Manhattan. Typically, a team like Buffalo—which is currently clawing for a Wild Card spot—wouldn't go after a rental of this magnitude. But this isn't a typical year. The Sabres have won 15 of their last 17 games. They are the hottest team in hockey.
Jarmo has history here. He’s the guy who traded for Panarin back in 2017 when he was in Columbus. He knows exactly what the Russian winger brings to a power play that has occasionally gone ice-cold this winter.
Is it risky? Absolutely. Panarin has a full no-movement clause. He has to want to come to Buffalo. But the Sabres have the prospect capital—names like Konsta Helenius or even their 2026 first-round pick—to make Chris Drury’s phone ring. If they land Panarin, they aren't just a playoff team. They’re a problem for everyone else in the Atlantic.
What's the Deal With Alex Tuch?
This is the one that keeps fans up at night. Alex Tuch is the heart of this roster. He's a local guy who actually wants to be here. But he's also a pending free agent after this season, and the contract talks have been... well, quiet.
There was a moment in early December where it looked like Tuch might be the ultimate trade chip. If the season had continued to spiral, Jarmo might have moved him for a massive haul of futures. But then the winning streak happened.
You can't trade your emotional leader while you're sitting in a playoff spot. You just can't. The word around the league is that the Sabres are pivoting toward an eight-year extension rather than a trade. Keeping Tuch sends a message to the locker room that the "perpetual rebuild" is officially dead. If they do decide to move him—which feels less likely by the hour—the return would have to be an established, top-six center or a top-pairing defenseman.
Target List: Who Else Is on the Radar?
While Panarin is the "dream" scenario, there are more realistic names floating around the Buffalo Sabres trade news sphere. The team has about $8.5 million in cap space, which is a massive advantage this time of year.
Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis Blues): The Blues are struggling, and Kyrou is a high-upside winger who fits the Sabres' age gap. He's 27 and signed long-term. The fit "makes too much sense," as many analysts have noted. He provides that dynamic speed Lindy Ruff loves.
Kiefer Sherwood (Vancouver Canucks): If Jarmo wants to add some "sandpaper" without breaking the bank, Sherwood is the guy. He’s a UFA at $1.5 million. He hits everything that moves and can chip in 15 goals. He’s the perfect third-line upgrade for a playoff grind.
Luke Schenn (Winnipeg Jets): The defense has stabilized with Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram, but they lack a veteran "enforcer" type for the bottom pair. Schenn is a human brick wall. He’s cheap, experienced, and wouldn't cost more than a mid-round pick.
Jake DeBrusk (Vancouver Canucks): Things haven't quite clicked for him in Vancouver. He needs a change of scenery, and Buffalo has the top-six minutes available to let him thrive.
The Owen Power "Blockbuster" Theory
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Some national insiders, like Ryan Dixon, have floated the idea of the Sabres trading Owen Power.
Wait. Don't throw your phone.
The logic is that Buffalo has an "overabundance" of left-shot defensemen. Dahlin, Byram, and Samuelsson are all lefties. Power is 23, a former first-overall pick, and signed until 2031 at $8.35 million. He is the ultimate trade asset. If Jarmo wants to trade for a true superstar—someone like a top-tier franchise center—Power is the only piece that makes it happen.
Is it going to happen? Probably not this month. Power is still developing, and his ceiling is astronomical. But the fact that his name is even being mentioned shows how much the philosophy has changed under the new management. No one is "untouchable" if the right deal for immediate help comes along.
Injury Updates Forcing Jarmo's Hand
Injuries are starting to pile up, which usually accelerates trade talks. Joshua Dunne, the fourth-line center who has been surprisingly reliable in the faceoff dot, is out for 4-6 weeks with a mid-body injury.
That might seem like a minor loss, but when you're fighting for every point, losing your best defensive-zone center hurts. This might force the Sabres to look for a veteran depth center sooner than they planned.
On the bright side, Michael Kesselring is back from IR. He’s been a bit of a mixed bag this year, but the underlying numbers suggest he’s due for a breakout. His return gives the Sabres some breathing room on the blue line, but they still look thin if another top-four guy goes down.
Actionable Insights for the Deadline
If you're following Buffalo Sabres trade news closely, keep your eyes on the following triggers over the next few weeks. These are the "tells" that a move is imminent:
- The Tuch Extension: If Alex Tuch signs a long-term deal before February, expect Jarmo to go "all-in" on rentals. It clears the distraction and confirms the team's direction.
- Ranger Losses: Every time the Rangers lose, the price for Panarin (or even someone like Vincent Trocheck) becomes more negotiable.
- The "Bergevin Effect": Keep an eye on Montreal's old trade partners. Marc Bergevin has long-standing relationships with GMs across the league. He’s the "closer" for these deals.
- Goalie Movement: With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon both healthy, the Sabres have a logjam in net. One of them could be used as a sweetener in a larger deal to a team desperate for goaltending (looking at you, Philadelphia or Colorado).
The Buffalo Sabres are finally acting like a big-market team. They have the cap space, they have the prospects, and they have a management group that isn't afraid of the spotlight. Whether it's a blockbuster for Panarin or a calculated move for a guy like Kiefer Sherwood, the 2026 trade deadline is going to be the most important one this city has seen in over a decade.
📖 Related: Finding mlb resultados espn deportes Without the Headache
Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. This team is for real, and the front office knows it. The next six weeks will determine if this is just a fun "feel-good" story or the start of a legitimate championship window in Western New York.
Check the waiver wire and the daily practice lines. If a veteran starts getting "scratched for trade-related reasons" against Buffalo, you'll know Jarmo has pulled the trigger. The drought is ending, and the trade market is the shovel that’s going to finish the job.