Sabres GM landed a steal
Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekäläinen is being credited with landing the trade‑deadline’s 'biggest steal' — a move analysts say flipped the Sabres’ outlook down the stretch. (sabrenoise.com) The pick‑up is now a key storyline as playoff projections tighten with 25 days left in the regular season. (nhl.com)
The Sabres acquired center Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers in exchange for Buffalo’s 2026 third-round pick and Chicago’s 2026 sixth-round pick. (espn.com) Carrick is signed through the 2026-27 season with a reported $1 million cap hit, giving Buffalo a low-cost, short-term veteran option down the middle. (sabrenoise.com) Since arriving in Buffalo he has recorded six points in nine games, won two late-game faceoffs in a 3-2 win over Nashville and scored in the Sabres’ 8-7 win over Tampa Bay. (sabrenoise.com) Kekäläinen also added defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg and forward Tanner Pearson, sending prospect Isak Rosen, defenseman Jacob Bryson and a 2027 second-round pick among other draft assets in those deals. (nhl.com/sabres) (espn.com) Buffalo sits 44-20-7 with 95 points and 11 games remaining, leading the Atlantic Division as the league enters a four-week stretch in which nine Eastern teams are within seven points for five playoff spots. (nhl.com) Kekäläinen — hired Dec. 15, 2025 — framed the deadline strategy as adding depth without overcommitting salary, a posture that makes Carrick’s $1 million deal a manageable roster decision heading into the offseason. (bleacherreport.com)
