Eastern Conference team pushing hard to land Nikolaj Ehlers

The NHL off-season starts with a frenzy on July 1st but quickly quiets down for the next two months. The Buffalo Sabres, like much of the hockey world, are keeping things low-key but are busy behind the scenes.

GM Kevyn Adams is working on adding scoring help, with rumors linking the team to Winnipeg Jets center Nikolaj Ehlers and Frank Vatrano of the Anaheim Ducks.

There was some interest in a reunion with Jacob Trouba through a trade with the New York Rangers, but nothing materialized because the Blueshirts captain used his no trade clause to block it.

The Sabres are still active in the market, aiming to acquire Ehlers or Vatrano. They've also expressed interest in Martin Nečas from the Carolina Hurricanes and Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs if either becomes available.

With $14.5 million in cap space, the Sabres are in a good position to make a move, especially since Ehlers, who commands $6 million, is in the final year of his contract. Yes they just lost Matt Savoie to Edmonton for Ryan McLeod but Buffalo still has the prospect pool to potentially make a trade work and are determined to end their thirteen-year playoff drought.

The Buffalo Sabres are on the rise! With the 2nd best prospect pool in the NHL