The NHL summer of 2026? Seriously, it’s been straight-up chaos, man. All those crazy pre-draft trade rumors? A ton of them actually went down, and it feels like there are still some massive moves just waiting to drop before the 2026-27 season even starts. You just know there are teams out there right now practically begging for a game-changing trade.
Buffalo Sabres: The Division Champ Who Got Weaker?
Okay, so get this: The Buffalo Sabres didn’t exactly make *bad* moves this offseason. In fact, you could argue they played the long game perfectly, setting themselves up for the future. They didn’t overpay Alex Tuch, which is smart. They flipped Bowen Byram into the No. 4 overall pick and defenseman Olen Zellweger, which feels like a great team-building move. They locked down Zach Benson on a contract that could be an absolute steal, and they carved out a ton of salary cap flexibility. That’s all good, right?
Here’s the kicker: none of that makes the Sabres better *this season*. Seriously. Tuch and Byram are gone, walking right out the door, and there aren’t any major new additions to replace all that production they lost from their 2025-26 roster. This is the team that finally snapped a 14-year playoff drought last season, not only making it but *winning the Atlantic Division*! Expectations are through the roof for the first time in a decade and a half. That’s gotta put some serious heat on GM Jarmo Kekkalainen. He’s known for being bold, and he’s still got the cap space and trade assets to make a massive swing. The most obvious play? Go all-in for Winnipeg Jets starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck. His future is still up in the air, and his name is all over the trade rumor mill. Goaltending is their biggest question mark, and landing Hellebuyck could absolutely make up for the value they lost this summer. It could even make them better, not just long-term, but right now.
Detroit Red Wings: A Decade of Drought and a Captain on the Way Out?
And then there’s Detroit. Honestly, whether Steve Yzerman left the GM role on his own or got pushed out, it doesn’t even matter. Something *had* to change. This team is stuck in a brutal 10-year playoff drought, with seven of those under Yzerman, capped off by some absolutely appalling late-season meltdowns. But wait, it gets worse. Their longest-tenured player and team captain, Dylan Larkin, requested a trade this offseason. Can you believe that? Does that request still stand with a new GM? Who knows. But regardless, this team desperately needs a spark.
And talk about bad optics: they’re still sitting on $19.5 million in unused salary cap space, with only restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson left to re-sign. Moving Larkin would just open up even *more* cap space. How do you, as a new general manager, look your fans in the eye when you’re going into the season with that much cap space, coming off that kind of collapse, and potentially trading your captain who doesn’t even want to be there anymore? The new GM is walking into a total mess, facing a fanbase with absolutely no patience left. Apparently, the Dallas Stars are one of the teams on Larkin’s approved trade list. The Stars have their own contract situation with Jason Robertson, which is… well, the source just cuts off there, but you get the picture.
The clock’s ticking for both the Sabres and Red Wings. With the 2026-27 season right around the corner, these GMs have to decide if they’re swinging big for a trade or letting these massive issues fester.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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