Brad Treliving Must Pick Up the Phone as Rival Defenseman Hits Trade Market

With Toronto wanting to spice things up next season, it's going to become more of a need than anything to bring in some big pieces especially with so many of their potential targets already being sent elsewhere.

So what if they were to call up their cross-border rivals and see what Owen Power's cost would be? That would certainly make a big enough change, and according to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta the Sabres are listening to offers for the former first overall pick.

Power, as well as defenseman Bowen Byram are both being looked at as postnatal trade candidates, and with GM Kevyn Adams and new executive addition Jarmo Kekelainen looking to make a change themselves; could they be looking to exchange some of their youth for ready-now talent?

Power, 22, is one of the most promising young defenders in the league, but being stuck on a middling Sabres team isn't really conducive to his growth.

He's a towering player at 6'6, and he isn't afraid to throw his body on the line to block shots and uses his huge frame to shut opponents out.

But he's also a very good playmaker, and for a team lacking a true pass-first defender (Morgan Rielly isn't it anymore), they can certainly benefit from him.

Power has 111 points in 242 career games (19G, 92A) while also adding 319 blocks, 99 hits, 70 PIM and a plus-8 rating in 22:39 TOI.

The one caveat with Power is that he is one expensive addition, being owed $8.35M until 2031, and with Toronto's defense already locked up long-term, they'll need to make some cap moves to make sure things fit.

Well, Power is going to need to find out whether or not Buffalo is actually willing to move him or just using his potential as leverage; but he doesn't have much choice because he has no trade protection until 2029-30.

But it's going to cost a fortune for Toronto to make a deal of this magnitude, and Buffalo is going to want a mix of prospects, NHL-ready talent and picks.

While Toronto doesn't have a surplus of premium assets, they certainly have enough to give Buffalo quantity to hopefully make up for the quality.

If Toronto loads up enough sweeteners then it might behoove the Sabres to move Power as opposed to Byram; who is an RFA and might be a bit easier to trade off.

Here's a wildly speculative trade proposal between Buffalo and Toronto:

To Toronto:

(D) Owen Power

To Buffalo:

(D) Ben Danford
(F) Nick Robertson (RFA Rights)
(F) Bobby McMann
(G) Artur Akhtyamov
2025 3rd Round Pick (COL)

Look, this is a ridiculous offer on paper, and that's a completely rational thought but hear me out.

Power is going to cost a lot; so give them a lot. Toronto loses their top defensive prospect in Danford but gets Power to fill that void now. They also lose one of their best goalie prospects in Akhtyamov, someone who could end up being a very solid starter in the future.

But with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz holding down the fort (possibly for the long-term), plus an awaiting Dennis Hildeby; there might be no room for him.

Robertson needs a change of scenery and a chance to actually play consistently and could give Buffalo a very young forward with a lot of potential, who has clear NHL-level goal scoring ability.

McMann broke out this season with 20 goals but he's already 28, and with Toronto perhaps adjusting their mindset to add more defensive bit players, he could be on the move as well and on a very cheap deal with proven scoring ability.

It seems like a drastic overpayment, but for a team needing to change their identity, what better way to do so than strip it down and build it back up.

All Brad Treliving needs to do is pick up the phone and see how badly Kevyn Adams would rather have his prized first overall pick, or sell high while they've still got time.