Report: Sabres Searching For Goal Scoring Winger

The Buffalo Sabres sit 23rd in the NHL in goals scored per game, at just 2.82. In the Eastern Conference, they're third from the bottom in total goals with 31, and sit last place in the Atlantic Division.

With all that, the latest report from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is no surprise: Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is believed to be scouring the market for additional goal-scoring. On TSN 690, the insider pointed out that they're taking their time, but are ready to pounce when the opportunity arises. 

They are navigating cautiously, lurking in the weeds and looking at what's available. I think they'd like to bring in a scoring wing more than anything... I think that's something they would certainly like to do still. We'll see when that becomes a reality for them.

Given that Tage Thompson and Noah Ostlund seem to be locked in for the top two center spots, the suggestion that a winger is their preference make sense. Youngster Konsta Helenius is off to a slow start, with just one goal and two points through 10 games thus far, while Zach Benson, signed to a rich new extension in the summer, has no goals and seven assists through 11 games. 

A void in goal scoring was not a difficult scenario to foresee in Buffalo, as the loss of Alex Tuch in free agency, and his annual 30+ goals, certainly didn't help the Sabres' offence for this season. 

"They expect more out of (Zach) Benson, they expect more out of Helenius and some of the other young kids that they have," Pagnotta added. 

The Sabres, however, have just $1.9 million in cap space, so they'll have to ship out some salary if they're to bring in any significant piece. Pagnotta did not suggest any particular targets, but did say this might be something they address a bit later in the season.