The Buffalo Sabres want to win and win this season with the moves they have made a clear indication of that. One of the ways they can do that is trading prospects and future draft picks for players who are in position to contribute immediately.
One prospect that could be made available in the early part of the season is Isak Rosen, who was a first round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has spent a majority of the past three seasons in the AHL with the Rochester Amerks while appearing in 15 games with the Sabres over the past two seasons.
As a member of the Amerks, he has been close to a point per game player with 142 points in 194 games and had an excellent run in the Calder Cup Playoffs this past season with five goals and one assist in eight games. However, the production hasn’t really translated to the NHL level as he has only one assist in those 15 games.
Buffalo Sabres should consider trading right wing Isak Rosen this season
The challenge for the Sabres, and Rosen, is that he really doesn’t have a clear path to the NHL with the talent the team has on the right wing. The team right now has Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jack Quinn for their Top 3 lines and Rosen won’t beat out any of those players.
There is an argument that he could surpass Justin Danforth but Buffalo just signed him as a free agent and it appears clear they have a plan for him this season.
Rosen could earn one of those final spots on the Sabres roster coming out of training camp but he might be more valuable to Buffalo in a trade that can bolster another part of the roster, like maybe at center.
The Buffalo Sabres necessarily don’t need to do anything as he will be a restricted free agent after this season. He probably would be one of the first players called up during the season if there is an injury on the right side of the forward lines.
The question though is whether he is more valuable in that role or as part of a trade package to help the team win now. The latter option might make more sense and is probably a player that is included in trade discussions this season.
