With the trade deadline approaching, the Sabres have yet to make a move as sellers, despite plenty of speculation. With 12 NHL teams scouting their recent game against Montreal, it’s clear that Buffalo has some intriguing pieces on the market. However, not every player should be on the move.
While rumors continue to swirl, there are three key players the Sabres should hold onto and prioritize re-signing beyond this season. These players bring value to Buffalo’s future and could play a vital role in the team’s long-term plans.
Bowen Byram
Byram has been a game-changer since arriving in Buffalo as part of the Casey Mittelstadt trade, emerging as not just a top defenseman for the Sabres but one of the best in the NHL. His impact has been immediate, contributing 10 goals, 25+ assists, and maintaining a solid plus-minus of seven. Even more impressive is his discipline—he ranks among the top 15 defensemen with the fewest penalty minutes among those who have played at least 50 games.
Beyond the numbers, Byram has proven to be an ideal partner for Rasmus Dahlin on Buffalo’s top defensive pairing. Dahlin thrives as an offensive defenseman who likes to push the pace, while Byram’s more stay-at-home style provides the perfect balance. Their chemistry has solidified the blue line, making Byram a critical piece of the Sabres’ future. With franchise defenseman potential, he’s only just beginning to unlock his full potential in Buffalo, and re-signing him should be a top priority.
Ryan McLeod
McLeod has been a fantastic addition to the Sabres since arriving from Edmonton in the offseason, thriving in Buffalo’s top-10 offensive system. After spending most of his career in Edmonton’s high-powered attack, he’s taken on an even bigger role with the Sabres, splitting time between the second and third lines. The results have been impressive—he’s posted career highs in points (31), goals (14), and plus-minus (+11), while sitting just one assist shy of matching his career-best (18).
McLeod embodies Buffalo’s new philosophy of prioritizing NHL-ready talent over prolonged rebuilds. His chemistry with Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker on the second line has helped turn that unit into one of the best second lines in hockey. As a solid veteran presence on the youngest team in the league, McLeod brings leadership and stability that could help propel the Sabres back into contention. Keeping him in Buffalo should be a priority moving forward.
JJ Peterka
Peterka has been the biggest surprise of the Sabres’ season, showing remarkable growth with each game. At just 23 years old, he’s taken another big step forward after setting career highs last season. This year, he’s already hit a career-high in assists (28) and is well on his way to surpassing his best point total—he has 45 points in just 56 games, compared to 50 in 82 games last season.
The biggest change in his game? His partnership with Tage Thompson. Thompson himself has praised Peterka as his favorite linemate, and their chemistry has been undeniable. Peterka not only complements Thompson’s elite scoring ability by setting him up with pinpoint passes, but he’s also developed into a strong scoring threat himself, already netting 17 goals this season.
Peterka remains on a team-friendly deal for now, but with his contract expiring this offseason, locking him up should be a top priority for Kevyn Adams. With Thompson signed through 2031, ensuring Peterka stays in Buffalo would solidify a dangerous duo that could lead the Sabres’ offense for years to come.