Kane will not be traded especially to Carolina, I understand we need help on our D but trading away offense like this makes zero sense, then going into next year we will have to upgrade our offense, especially for what clearly looks like a busy defense with Faulk on the bench? in this lineup..

Gorges will finish his career here in Buffalo and play as a depth dman and or replacement if Guhle is not ready.
Fowler for a 1st round pick I agree with but Botterill and the Penguins do not run that type of mindset, they typically develop from within and sign a few pieces in free agency and create chemistry and better teams that way.

Least favorite part is Girgensons, Botterill said in his opening press conference he loves forwards/players who can play in multiple roles Ennis and Girgensons fit that mold, yes Girgensons was awful past couple years and thats due to the style of play in Byslma's system.

DAL could offer a better offer to ANA if they sent #3 overall to them and took Fowler/2nd. DET could offer #9 and a 3rd. Or any team could offer NHL talent that has a ton of depth at forward like ARZ.

Theirs a really good chance Kane gets traded. Maybe on draft day

1. It is not unlikely kane gets traded. Buffalos defense is a mess, they have young wingers knocking on the door and kane is in the last year of his deal. You are also looking at the wrong falk on the bench

2. The penguins trade picks constantly and gorges likely gets bought out if not traded.

3. Sabres already have plenty of guys who can play wing and center

You really think cam fowler will grab a top 3 pick and that a rebuilding team would trade a top 10 pick? Buffalo has made 4 top 8 picks in a row, they would be willing

Justin Faulk is one of the best defensemen in the league today, although very underrated in the media. It will take a heck of a lot more than a player like Evander Kane to get him. He's a solid goal scorer, but has had more than his share of issues off the ice.

Carolina would not take that risk. Fowler is likely going to cost more than that, although I don't know how.

In order to trade Gorges, they'll have to eat some salary for sure. Whether it's a bad contract, or retaining salary, that won't be a straight up trade.

I like the Ducks trade, on the condition that he resigns. It would be in the mix with other potential offers for Fowler.

Kane value is hard to judge. He's a Jekyll/Hyde player: when he's on he's great (I'm a fan of his game on the ice), but when he's off he's a tire fire (law enforcement, locker room stuff, injured). One year rental (maybe he resigns?) for an injury prone player that can be a headache for the team. Carolina should be getting better/safer offers from other teams.
I think Buf should hold on to him for next season. Trade at the TDL could bring more than a draft day trade, or he could help Buf get into the Playoffs. The only way Buf loses is if he's injured or falls apart.

Gorges probably retires as a Sabre. TDL I could see him moved to a team needing a depth d-man for a better return.

Girgensons just needs out of Buffalo for a fresh start.

I don't see Vegas having a problem getting to the cap floor ($54m) without taking any cap dumps, especially if they start working on some side trades for a $6m player or two.

All very reasonable trades imo

Fowler isn't the guy I'd prefer to pair with Risto though. I'm hoping we can do better. Not that he's bad at all... my dream scenario would have us get Ekholm, but I doubt Nashville would trade him.

Ideally, I'd also like to get that 2nd defenseman without giving up Kane.
Minnesota is a team we should target imo. They have Expansion protection issues at both forward and defense...
so my hope would be that if we took Pominville off their hands, that we could get a discounted price on Dumba (preferably) or one of their other defensemen.

Nice job overall
Go Sabres!