Sabres potential trade candidates following their 2025 playoff exit

The Buffalo Sabres missed the 2025 playoffs for the 14th consecutive season, leaving fans begging for changes. They welcomed back Lindy Ruff as head coach, but things went awry with a dismal 79-point season and a 13-game losing streak in December. Improvements are needed, and Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to get cracking with some offseason trades. Here are some target players to boost the roster:

Marco Rossi (Minnesota Wild): The Sabres could have a great opportunity to snag this young forward. Despite major buyouts weighing down Minnesota's cap, they have built a competitive team. Kirkill Kaprizov is due a new contract soon, and the Wild may need to sell high on Rossi to aid their future spending. Rossi, a talented middle-six player, had a career-high 60 points this season. He played for the Wild and could replace Rossi's scoring. Swapping Alex Tuch whose deal expires before Kaprizov's extension kicks in could get the deal done.
Gabe Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets): The Sabres can try to acquire Vilardi via an offer sheet, which could be a draft pick transaction if they manage to get him and allow the Jets to match. Alternatively, they could offer a trade with players like Tuch to control the negotiations. The Jets are in talks with veteran winger Nikolaj Ehlers, and the Sabres should target Vilardi, who had a 27-goal season at 25 years old.
K'Andre Miller (New York Rangers): The Sabres could target this RFA in the offseason, especially if the Rangers prioritize youth. The Rangers might trade veterans like Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and Mika Zibanejad, leaving less room for Miller. If this happens, the deal could involve picks and prospects that Adams may not want to part with. But whether they keep these players or not, the Sabres would have to give Miller a new contract.

Remember, the Sabres have a glut of draft picks this year, as well as extra fourth-round and seventh-round picks. So, Adams has a solid foundation from which to trade. Nonetheless, as his seat heats up, he’ll need to make moves to improve the core quickly. It's all about finding the right players who can help turn this desperate franchise around!

With large buyouts weighing down their cap sheet, the Wild have built a competitive team. There's hope for the Sabres fans! But with Kirill Kaprizov needing a new contract soon, the Wild could look to sell high on a young center to help out their future spending. Buffalo should be in the conversation for Marco Rossi.

Rossi had career highs in goals, assists, and points this year with 24, 36, and 60, respectively. The Wild drafted him in the first round and have developed him into a solid middle-six player over the last three years. But his entry-level deal is up, and with Kaprizov needing a new deal starting in 2026, they should move on.

The Sabres could get out of this without giving up their first-round pick. Minnesota should ask for Alex Tuch, whose deal would expire before Kaprizov's extension kicked in. He started his career with Buffalo, so this trade could help replace Rossi's scoring. To sweeten the deal, Sabres could offer forward prospect Isak Rosen or defensive prospect Nikita Novikov.

The Wild have a competitive team, but with large buyouts and Kaprizov needing a new contract soon, Buffalo should be in the conversation for Marco Rossi. Although it's hard to predict trades, it's clear that the Sabres must make changes this offseason to improve their roster and end their playoff drought. Rossi could be key in making that happen.

The Buffalo Sabres, plagued by a prolonged playoff absence, are in dire need of changes, particularly in their roster.
With Kevyn Adams as the general manager, the Sabres are gearing up for some offseason trades to boost their roster.
Marco Rossi, a young and talented forward from the Minnesota Wild, could offer a significant opportunity for the Sabres to enhance their offense.
The Wild, burdened by large buyouts and the impending contract of Kirill Kaprizov, may consider selling high on Rossi to aid their future spending.
Gabe Vilardi, a potential target from the Winnipeg Jets, could be acquired via an offer sheet or a trade, with Sabres forward Alex Tuch possibly involved in negotiations.
K'Andre Miller, a defenseman from the New York Rangers, is a potential target for the Sabres' offseason trade discussions, especially if the Rangers prioritize youth.
With a glut of draft picks This year, and extra picks in the fourth and seventh rounds, Adams has a solid foundation from which to negotiate trades, but he must act quickly to improve the core and end the playoff drought.