Three players who could replace Jeff Skinner

The Buffalo Sabres recently bought out longtime forward Jeff Skinner and the veteran forward quickly signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Skinner’s departure leaves a gap on Buffalo’s top or second line. With the Sabres having not made a big free-agent move since July 1, acquiring an experienced forward via trade is the team’s only option.

Here are three players the Sabres could sign to take Skinner’s place next season.

New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko remains on the trade market, despite offers from other NHL franchises. The Blueshirts are hoping to get a deal done for him this summer, so the Sabres could sign him if they and former Buffalo forward and New York general manager Chris Drury can work out a deal.

Kakko isn’t the Rangers’ top scorer, but he has good numbers and is a reliable presence on the ice. It’s possible that Kakko could be overshadowed by more productive stars like Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad and could improve with a change of scenery.

Speaking of a player who could use a new team, Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano is a productive winger on a team that is even worse than the Sabres. Anaheim went 25-50-5 in 2023-24, compared to Buffalo’s 39-37-6. Vatrano scored 37 goals, had 23 assists and scored 60 points overall last season.

The Blue and Gold suffered from a lack of offensive production last year. A trade for Vatrano from the Ducks would give Buffalo a top-tier forward who could make plays every time he plays.

Left wing Max Pacioretty played one season for the Washington Capitals, where he scored four goals, recorded 19 assists and 23 points. His goals and assists have declined since his time with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, where he scored near or over 20 goals per season for four straight years.

Pacioretty is nearing the end of his NHL career at age 35, but he would bring years of hockey experience to a team that just lost a veteran winger. Trading for Pacioretty could stabilize the Sabres’ offence and bring in a veteran forward who can shore up Buffalo’s first or second line until one of the younger players is ready to replace him.