When you think about the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres, the first thing that comes to mind might be their storied histories or passionate fanbases.
But this season, both teams find themselves in a predicament neither can ignore.
The Rangers and Sabres are struggling big time, and their poor standings in their respective divisions have sparked rumors of a potential trade partnership.
Could these two franchises help each other out of their mess?
Let’s figure it out.
- After trading Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko, the Rangers aim to use the $9.1 million in cap space to reshape their roster.
- With $10.9 million in cap space, the Sabres could offload key players or make high-impact swaps to reset their team’s trajectory.
- Potential swaps include Chris Kreider, Dylan Cozens, and draft picks, but major moves might only come in the post-season.
A Season of Struggles
The New York Rangers are in a freefall.
Just a year ago, they were the best in the world, winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the NHL.
Fast forward to now, they’re sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a 16-19-1 record.
And to make matters worse, they’ve won only two out of their last ten games.
Things are so bad that they have a measly 1.5% chance of making the playoffs, according to moneypuck.com.
On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabres aren’t faring much better.
They’re stuck in the basement of the Atlantic Division with a 14-20-4 record.
They’ve only managed three wins in their last ten games, so it’s not like they’re in a position to gloat.
Both teams desperately need a change, and that’s where the trade rumors come in.
The Rangers’ Reset
The Rangers have already started making moves to shake up their roster.
They’ve traded Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken and former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.
And the trades cleared some much-needed cap space—$9.1 million, to be exact—but also signaled a willingness to part ways with key players.
Now the big question is: who’s next?
Chris Kreider’s name keeps coming up in trade talks, especially since Rangers GM Chris Drury has been vocal about exploring his options.
Kreider’s $6.5 million cap hit might scare some teams, but his skills and experience could make him an attractive target.
Mika Zibanejad is another player who could theoretically be on the move, but his no-movement clause makes any deal highly unlikely.
And then there’s Jonathan Quick, the veteran goaltender who might prefer to spend his twilight years chasing another Stanley Cup, though Buffalo probably isn’t the destination he has in mind.
The Rangers’ moves haven’t been all about players.
They’ve also got some valuable draft picks, including their 2025 first-rounder.
That gives them the flexibility to either stockpile young talent or pull off a blockbuster trade.
Buffalo’s Opportunity
The Sabres, for their part, are also sitting on a good chunk of cap space—$10.9 million.
That kind of financial wiggle room opens up a lot of possibilities.
They’ve got some players who might be better off with a change of scenery.
Jason Zucker and Nicolas Aube-Kubel are pending unrestricted free agents who could be traded for future assets.
Then there’s Dylan Cozens, a promising 23-year-old who could command a hefty return if Buffalo decides to go big.
Buffalo’s also holding onto its 2025 first-round pick, which could be useful if the team wants to make a splashy move.
But the Sabres need more than just one trade to turn things around.
It’s safe to say this team needs to rebuild from the ground up.
Could These Teams Make a Deal?
So, could the Rangers and Sabres actually pull off a trade?
The short answer is maybe, but don’t hold your breath for anything earth-shattering.
Both teams have the cap space to make a big move, but the likelihood of a blockbuster deal seems slim.
Chris Kreider could be a fit for Buffalo if the Sabres want a veteran presence to mentor their younger players.
On the flip side, Dylan Cozens could be the kind of dynamic player the Rangers need to inject some life into their offense.
But realistically, any trade between these two teams would probably involve smaller, less flashy pieces.
Both franchises are in desperate need of a shake-up.
The Rangers are clinging to the hope of salvaging their season, while the Sabres are eyeing the future.
And a trade, even a minor one, could be the jolt they both need.
Bigger Questions Loom
Of course, trades aren’t the only thing on the table.
For the Rangers, coaching has become a hot topic.
Peter Laviolette’s seat is heating up, and insiders like Frank Seravalli and Larry Brooks are speculating that his days could be numbered.
If the Rangers keep sliding, Laviolette might be shown the door before any major trades happen.
The bigger issue for New York, though, might be their organizational culture.
GM Chris Drury has been criticized for handling the team, especially after he sent a memo to other GMs declaring that the Rangers were “open for business.”
That move didn’t sit well with fans or players and might have contributed to the team’s recent struggles.
Meanwhile, the Sabres have their own set of challenges.
This team hasn’t made the playoffs in over a decade.
And they need to figure out if they’re building around their young talent or if they’re ready to hit the reset button entirely.
Big Choices Ahead
As the season rolls on, the Rangers and Sabres are both at a crossroads.
The Rangers have the talent and resources to make a playoff push, but they need to decide if it’s worth the gamble.
On the other hand, the Sabers are looking at another rebuilding year, but they’ve got the cap space and draft picks to set themselves up for success down the road.
One thing is for sure—both teams have big choices ahead of them.
They might choose to make trades, change coaches, or stick with their current plans, but whatever they decide will shape their future for a long time.
Things may be rough for them now, but the real action behind the scenes is just starting.
Keep watching the Rangers and Sabres because this season is far from over.
