Rumor: Sabres looking at Noah Hanafin?
As pre-draft trading has started, has Kevyn Adams shifted his interest in a veteran defender from Brett Pesce to Noah Hanafin? Hanafin is a 26 year old American (Born Boston, Mass) LEFT shot defenseman who is making $4.95 million a year (about the same as Pesce). The Sabres are looking for a RIGHT shot defender to pair with Owen Power.
Quote:
Hanifin Looking For Road Out Of Calgary
The common theme for many NHL clubs over the next couple of weeks is making moves on players with a short-term remaining on current deals, either because they cannot afford to re-sign these players or they’ve been told they will not stay with their current club. One such instance involves Calgary defenseman Noah Hanifin, who informed Flames management that he would not sign a contract extension past next season and that he would prefer to be dealt to a US-based club.
According to The Athletic, the Sabres and Florida Panthers are the primary suitors for the 26-year-old blueliner. Hanifin makes $4.95 million in the final year of a six-year deal and fills the need of a defense partner for youngster Owen Power that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is looking for. The cost is thought to be similar to that rumored for Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce and that would give Buffalo the advantage over the nearly barren Panthers, who exhausted all of their prospect pool and draft capital in deals over the last two years.
Adams may be shifting his interest away from Pesce, as the blueliner’s representatives and Hurricanes have been making progress on a new deal. The door is not closed to the possibility of Pesce being moved if negotiations break down.
Sabres Shifting Interest To Hanifin?
Re: Rumor: Sabres looking at Noah Hanafin?
If he's a lefty and they are looking for a righty why would they be inerested?
Re: Rumor: Sabres looking at Noah Hanafin?
Perhaps others could answer this better. Many defensemen can play both sides effectively at an NHL level. Don't know if Hanifan is that, but I suspect he is. He blocked 129 shots last season in 81 games. That's a lot to make him attractive as a defensive defenseman. Dahlin led the Sabres with 131 blocked shots in 77 games in 2022-2023. So he is on par with the Sabres leader in that respect.
And at age 26, he has played a lot of NHL hockey (8 seasons) and can be that stabilizing veteran presence for Power that Adams has been said to be looking for. Though Power now has 1+ seasons on the ice. My question is what is wrong with using Jokiharju (who shoots right) for that purpose? Signing a veteran to pair with Power, drops Jokiharju down to a 3rd pairing defender. Or will he be traded? They picked up Stillman. Will that be the 3rd line pairing this season? Jokiharju-Stillman? Watch to see if they resign Kale Clague, who also held his own most of the time he was called on in 22-23. Bryson seems like a goner.
Notice how many fewer blocks Jokiharju has. He's more of a traditional, stand-up defender.
Re: Rumor: Sabres looking at Noah Hanafin?
That and the current rumor is that the Hurricanes are closing in on re-signing Pesce.
Re: Rumor: Sabres looking at Noah Hanafin?
One of the missteps, IMO, was letting Brandon Montour go. He would have been a perfect pairing with Power.
Brandon Montour stats: https://www.hockey-reference.com/pla...montobr01.html
Montour is a dynamic player, a RIGHT shot. Scored 16 goals, 57 helpers for 73 points while blocking 93 shots. He does it all and would have been a great influence for Owen Power.
