The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up their NHL Trade Deadline with four new players added to the playing roster – LW Tanner Pearson, C Sam Carrick, D Logan Stanley and D Luke Schenn. They did end up giving up a number of picks and prospects for the quartet, but General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen was able to stick to his mission of not messing up team chemistry and was not forced to move out any players from the playing roster.
Among the players traded away were long-tenured defenseman Jacob Bryson and bright forward prospect Isak Rosen who has been the top scorer at the Rochester Americans. Also traded away were the 2026 3rd, 4th (BUF or EDM), 6th (CHI) and 7th round picks, and the 2027 2nd round pick.
The GM addressed the media after the deadline, and spoke on a number of topics.
On Colton Parayko choosing not to waive his NTC to come to Buffalo –
“Buffalo is a great city. It’s disappointing to see somebody thinking it’s got something to do with Buffalo.
“We have a great hockey team that’s winning games, a fun atmosphere, an electric building. Our players are loving it here. The Buffalo Sabres deserve a lot of respect right now.”
On Alex Tuch’s ongoing contract talks –
“I told his agent that we’re not going to make our team weaker. If we don’t get a deal done by the trade deadline, we’re not trading him, and we didn’t, because we want to strengthen our team. … So, now we’re going to continue those talks and hopefully get a deal done before July 1.
“I think he’s handled it like a pro. He’s playing good hockey and he’s an important part of our success. … I don’t think I could ask for anything more from Alex Tuch.”
On Zach Metsa being sent down to the Amerks –
“It’s a paper transaction for him to be eligible for the Calder Cup playoffs.”
On Jiri Kulich’s recovery –
“He’s continuing to get treatment. Our main concern, obviously, is his well being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a hockey player. But he’s progressing but most likely he’ll be out for the season.
“He’s not able to have full contact and play hockey. He’s doing his conditioning and preparing for whenever he’s ready to play.”
On Justin Danforth and Jordan Greenway –
“Both progressing slowly. There is a chance they could be back this season. There’s no guarantee, but we’re hopeful.”
On the playoffs-like atmosphere for the Sabres vs Golden Knights game –
“I got goosebumps that night. It was an electric, unbelievable hockey atmosphere here.”
On choosing not to trade away any players –
“To be honest, no one in this room cares if you trade a pick or two. … It’s fun, good for morale for sure.
“We don’t want to disrupt something that’s going really well … They’re just having the time of their lives.”
On the Sabres playing their last twenty games in forty days –
“Players are going to get banged up, and it’s very, very important in my mind to have depth. Especially on the D side – that’s probably the most crucial position to have depth in – but also on the forward side.”
On adding some physical players with grit –
“We have a lot of skill on our defense, mobility, ability to join the rush, offensive-minded defensemen, so I think we can really use the defensive side of things with the big two ‘trees’ that we got in these trades.
“Teams try to test us a little bit. They try to push us around, and I think we added some elements that that’s not gonna happen so easily anymore.”