As the NHL free agency quickly approaches, teams like the Rangers, Buffalo, and Utah have all outlined their hopes to shake up their roster’s, and add some new exciting pieces to their teams while offloading some which just haven't worked out. Names like Alexis Lafreniere and Bowen Byram have often been used in trade talks and mock trades, but in this New York-Buffalo mock trade, a deal could easily be struck which could be a very interesting and beneficial move for both teams.
Former first round pick in the 2020 NHL draft Alexis Lafreniere hasn’t really reached the highs that the Rangers expected that he would, and has not really replicated his junior form into the NHL, and after five seasons could be one of New York’s most valuable trade assets under new head coach Mike Sullivan. There is no doubt that Lafreniere has bags of talent and potential, but for a former first round pick who has had a number of chances the standard just isn't good enough. Being one of the more likely trade candidates for New York this season, an interesting situation could mean a fresh start for the 23 year old Canadian, and the Buffalo Sabres have the firepower and assets to potentially bring him to Buffalo.
Much like New York, after another disappointing but not surprising season, Buffalo have outlined their hopes to build a reshaped team, and could be hasty to shop some of their most valuable players, two being Bowen Byram and J.J Peterka. As Peterka and Byram are amongst players like Michael McLeod and Jack Quinn who the Sabres are expected to re-sign, it is likely Buffalo have already explored the options for trading both Byram and Peterka, and gaining some valuable asset back in return for two players who could be seeking unrealistically high deals next season. With the rumours that both are likely to look for deals around $8 million AAV, the Sabres wouldn't be too unhappy to move them on, and could look to New York to strike a deal.
With all three players in this situation looking for fresh starts, and all three making sense joining both teams, it could be a pretty interesting trade. Of course New York may need to throw in a first or even a second round pick to sweeten the deal, but a trade in which Buffalo receive Alexis Lafreniere, a first round pick, and even a role player like Carson Soucy, and New York receive Bowen Byram and J.J Peterka, it could be a deal both need to consider.
For a team like Buffalo who have had heaps of talent over the years, but talent that just hasn't gelled, New York would have to consider the talent that they are offered, and much like we have seen with former Buffalo players in the past, both could be key players in their return to success. On the other hand Buffalo received yet another first round talent, and could use new development, and hopes of his potential blooming to add another bright spark onto a team that is really lacking some excitement. For both it is a trade to consider, and could be a win on both sides with unknown potential floating all around this trade.
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