Buffalo Sabres Need to Be All in on Brady Tkachuk

To say that the Buffalo Sabres are at a crossroads would be an understatement. After missing the playoffs for 14 years, the franchise is in “win now” mode like never before. That is why a major trade must happen, and it should be for Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk.

If that sounds far-fetched, it is. Trading within the division is a cardinal sin, especially for star players. That said, it isn’t unheard of, and the Sabres must use all the prospects and picks at their disposal to put the team back in the playoffs.

The Biggest Issues With the Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo has three major issues, one of which can be solved in-house: the power play, faceoff circle, and being physically and mentally tougher to play against.

Sabres Power Play

The first problem, hopefully, will be resolved in-house. A change in the coaching staff is the focal point. New-old head coach Lindy Ruff brought in Rochester Americans’ assistant Seth Appert, a key figure in the development of many players on the roster, like Mattias Samuelsson, Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, and others.

The Sabres’ power play, which went from one of the best in 2022-23 to 28^th (16.6%) this season, must improve. With offensive talents like Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, and Rasmus Dahlin, the power play cannot and should not be a bottom-feeder. Appert should help make that a strength again.

However, adding Tkachuk would boost the array of weapons. He has scored 30 or more goals in the last three seasons, hitting a career-best mark of 37 in 2023-24. With 18 power-play goals the year before, he is a weapon in front of the net, an area where the Sabres lack a definitive presence.

Sabres Must Be Tough to Play Against

Why not get to the core of the issue by letting one of the foundational pieces of the roster summarize this issue – Dylan Cozens, in the wake of a 6-2 December 2023 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, had this to say to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News:

“I think we definitely play way too soft. We’re too easy to play against, and we need a little ‘FU’ in our game. I think we had more of that last year. We’re way too soft this year. I feel like we don’t kill plays. We kind of get bullied and stuff, and we know we need to be way harder to play against. We’re too easy to play against right now.”

There are two ways to solve this problem. Thankfully, the first should come from the coaching change. Ruff is a no-nonsense coach known for getting his players to be accountable. He will light a fire under those who need to be better and tougher to play against. It will start with greater intensity in practice.

The other solution should come from outside the organization. This leads to the ultimate point: the Sabres need to trade for Tkachuk.

Sabres Need to Trade for Brady Tkachuk

There is never a “simple” solution. That said, adding a player like Tkachuk would solve most of these issues. For starters, he is one of the best power forwards in the game. He plays with a combination of physicality and skill like few others in the league.

His presence alone would be a massive boost. He could play anywhere in the top six, contribute on the power play, and play in key situations. His compete level would probably be the best on the team because he never quits and fights through second and third battles.