In order for the Buffalo Sabres to end their 13-year playoff drought, general manager Kevyn Adams will need to address areas of need and emphasize accountability under head coach Lindy Ruff. Over the past few weeks, we have been examining players who could be possible trade targets this summer, ahead of a season that must be deemed a playoff or bust.
Status of contract: signed for a period of 2024–2025 at $3.5 million AAV Tanev, a nine-year NHL veteran who has played for Winnipeg and Pittsburgh before being claimed by Seattle in the expansion draft in 2021, is another possible candidate who meets the requirements of playing more of a depth role with the Sabres and having a significant amount of time left on their contract.
The brother of Stars defenseman Chris Tanev, the 32-year-old Toronto native played four years at Providence College before signing with the Jets as an undrafted unrestricted free agent. After three years in Manitoba and scoring 14 goals in 2019, he signed a six-year, $21 million contract with the Penguins and played mostly a third-line energy forward/penalty-killing role. After joining the Kraken, he missed the second half of the 2021-22 season with an ACL injury but returned the next season with a career-best 16 goals and 35 points.
Last season, Tanev regressed to 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 66 games. The Sabres are looking for physicality and energy in their bottom-six and the veteran winger would seem to be a good fit. The Kraken are likely beginning a reset after firing head coach Dave Hakstol. GM Ron Francis could be open to moving Tanev in advance of July 1 to open up $3.5 million in cap space to spend in free agency, and that fact might limit his trade value to mid-round draft choice or second-level prospect.
The Sabres have the benefit of a number of players on their entry-level contracts next season and that would give them the ability to take all of Tanev’s cap hit.
