Sabres linked to trade for $11.6 million star center from Canucks

The Buffalo Sabres are streaking toward the top of the standings.

With this crazy hot streak comes increased scrutiny on the upcoming trade deadline -- it's time for the Sabres to be buyers this time of year, not sellers.

One name expected to be on the market: Elias Pettersson, the center from the Vancouver Canucks.

Pettersson isn't a perfect player, but he'd still qualify as a strong upgrade.

"Pettersson hasn’t been a star-level player for a couple years now," Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin writes. "He doesn’t come close to justifying his $11.6-million cap hit. Yet he’s also just 27 and remains blessed with a unique array of skills, from a laser of a shot in the 91st percentile to strong two-way sensibilities. It sure feels like whichever team takes a chance on him will stumble into a resurgent star."

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Larkin goes on to list the Sabres as one of eight teams that could be a fit for Pettersson.

"Since they don’t yet hold a locked-in playoff position, they’re better off chasing players with term rather than rentals," Larkin writes. "Pettersson would add another high-ceiling player to their top six, and his two-way game would be quite valuable to a Buffalo team that still surrenders too many scoring chances."

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The salary part is tough, so Buffalo needs to send some back Vancouver's way, too.

"Buffalo would need to move significant money Vancouver’s way," Larkin writes. "British Columbia native Byram and his $6.25-million AAV would be a logical ask."

The Sabres would still have a solid core of defensemen even if they trade Byram. This could be a deal worth looking into in an effort to take that final step toward true contenders.

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