by Things are not looking good for the New York Rangers right now. Although they have a record of 12-9-1, they have lost five straight games. Due to 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 a veteran that the Rangers are willing to listen to offers for. He’s a player the Buffalo Sabers should definitely have on their radar.
The Sabers 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. That includes his monster 2021-22 season, where he scored 52 goals and 77 points in 81 games.
However, in addition to being a hard-hitting scorer, Kreider is known for his immense physique. Thus, he is a threat in more ways than one, so he would be a major addition if acquired by the Sabres.
Still, a notable obstacle to a potential Kreider trade is his 15-team no-trade list. If the Sabers are on his no-trade list, they won’t be able to acquire him unless he agrees to a move to Buffalo. However, the Sabers wouldn’t have to worry about that possibility with Kaapo Kakko.
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NHL insider Darren Dreger reported on TSN Insider Trading that Kakko’s name has resurfaced on the trade market and he is another Ranger who could potentially be traded. He’s a player the Sabers were previously linked to, so it wouldn’t be particularly surprising if they made a push for him.
Kakko, 23, had a solid start to the season, scoring three goals, 12 points and a plus-12 rating in 22 games. With numbers like those, he would be a solid addition to the Sabres’ middle six. However, when you note that he is a former second overall pick with high upside potential, he has the potential to reach a new level. So, he could be a great player for the Sabers to take a chance on.
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