NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres & Kraken Linked To Trade

Thursday, August 21, 2025 ,
Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen skates with the puck during 2025 game.

The Buffalo Sabres may be searching for a top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. 

Michael Augello of The Hockey News recently suggested that Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen could be a prime candidate if the Kraken fail to remain in playoff contention. Tolvanen, 26, posted a career-high 23 goals last season and has one year left on his contract, making him an intriguing short-term option for a Sabres team eager to end its 14-year postseason drought.

Why Tolvanen Makes Sense for Buffalo

Tolvanen brings proven scoring ability, netting 57 goals over the past three seasons across stints with the Kraken and Nashville Predators. A 2017 first-round pick, the Finnish forward can play both wings and fit seamlessly into Buffalo’s middle-six. His age and contract status mean the Sabres could add a productive winger without blocking any of their top prospects, though a successful season could open the door for a potential re-signing.

Potential Cost and Risks

Acquiring Tolvanen won’t come cheap. Augello projects that Seattle general manager Jason Botterill would likely seek a conditional first-round pick or one of Buffalo’s prized prospects, such as Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen, or Devon Levi, to facilitate a trade. 

While Tolvanen’s 23-goal season is impressive, underlying metrics suggest some inconsistency; his 5-on-5 expected goals for percentage (xGF%) last season was 44.8%, and his expected goals total was 15.1. Given the high cost and risk of a one-year rental, any deal might be postponed until the 2026 NHL trade deadline, particularly if Buffalo is trending toward playoff contention and Seattle needs to sell.

Photo Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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