Things are not going well for the New York Rangers right now. While they have a 12-9-1 record, they have lost five straight games. Because of their struggles, the Rangers are ready to shake up their roster, as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week.
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Friedman specifically noted that Chris Kreider is one veteran who the Rangers are willing to listen to offers for. He is a player who the Buffalo Sabres should undoubtedly have on their radar.
The Sabres need a top-six winger, and Kreider is just that. The 6-foot-3 winger has nine goals in 19 games this season and has scored at least 36 goals in his previous three seasons. This includes his monster 2021-22 season, where he had 52 goals and 77 points in 81 games.
However, besides being an impactful scorer, Kreider is known for his immense physicality. Thus, he is a threat in more ways than one, so he would be a major addition if acquired by the Sabres.
Yet, one notable obstacle in a potential Kreider move is his 15-team no-trade list. If the Sabres are on his no-trade list, they would not be able to acquire him unless he accepted a move to Buffalo. However, the Sabres would not need to worry about this possibility with Kaapo Kakko.
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NHL insider Darren Dreger reported on TSN Insider Trading that Kakko’s name has resurfaced in the trade market, and he is another Ranger who could possibly be traded. He is a player who the Sabres were previously linked to, so it would not be particularly surprising if they made a push for him.
Kakko, 23, has had a solid start to the season, posting three goals, 12 points, and a plus-12 rating in 22 games. With numbers like these, he would be a solid addition to the Sabres’ middle six. However, when noting that he is a former second-overall pick with high upside, he has the potential to hit a new level. Thus, he could be an excellent player for the Sabres to take a shot on.
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