Sabres reportedly eyeing Avalanche superstar in blockbuster trade this offseason
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
A standout winger from the Colorado Avalanche is showing up on multiple offseason trade lists.
The Buffalo Sabres head into the 2025 offseason as one of the NHL's most intriguing teams to follow. With a 14-year playoff drought looking over the franchise, they appear driven to shake up the roster in hopes of finally breaking through.
Sabres eyeing Avalanche superstar this offseason.
Adam Proteau from The Hockey News writes that Necas is still under contract for one more year at $6.5 million, but notably, his deal lacks any no-trade or no-move clauses. That opens the door for teams like the Sabres to make a move.
Buffalo could acquire him, let him play out the 2025-26 season, and reassess from there. If Necas is aiming to cash in on his next deal, the Sabres could be in a prime position to help him do just that.
"Now, would Buffalo probably have to overpay Necas to stay long-term? Absolutely. But that's true of most players, given how much the Sabres have struggled for the past decade-and-a-half. You're not going to have many veterans of Necas' caliber giving Buffalo some type of hometown discount. But if you make the winning bid, and money is really what a top UFA is looking for, Buffalo can and should be the team that makes the most lucrative offer." -Proteau
What might it take for the Sabres to land Necas? A likely starting point is winger J.J. Peterka, a restricted free agent due for a sizeable raise. It's easy to imagine Peterka thriving alongside Avalanche stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
For Colorado, this type of deal wouldn't just bring in a younger, high-upside player, it would also free up significant cap space, giving them the flexibility to pursue additional moves this offseason.
"In acquiring Necas, the Sabres would bring in someone determined to play well in a contract year, and given that Necas is still only 26 years old, he's still entering his prime. Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams should be taking big swings on the trade front, and landing Necas would certainly be a move that tells Sabres players the team intends to be a high-octane offensive group." -Proteau
With their respective needs and assets aligning, there's a real possibility of a deal that sends Necas to Buffalo and Peterka to Colorado. Now it's up to general managers Kevyn Adams and Chris MacFarland to see if they can bring this potential blockbuster to life.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 28 ANSWERS Sabres reportedly eyeing Avalanche superstar in blockbuster trade this offseason Would you trade Martin Necas in exchange for J.J. Peterka? | ||
| yes | 18 | 64.3 % |
| no | 10 | 35.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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