The Buffalo Sabres shook up the NHL landscape Tuesday by shipping Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks. That deal landed them the fourth overall pick in Friday’s draft and, combined with their own pick at 20, gives them two first-round selections. But here’s the thing — they also moved Michael Kesselring in that trade, so right now the blue line has a hole.
Kevyn Adams is gone. Jarmo Kekalainen took over as general manager midway through the 2025-26 season, and he’s already shown his hand. He traded for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from Winnipeg. Those are big, rugged defensemen. The kind Kekalainen wants behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. The kind who clear the crease and don’t get pushed around.
That brings us to Adam Pelech.
Pelech isn’t as physically imposing as Stanley or Schenn. But the guy is a rock. He’s a responsible, veteran defenseman who doesn’t make the coach nervous. A former All-Star, Pelech was a pillar during the Islanders’ back-to-back runs to the conference finals a few years ago. Sliding him onto Buffalo’s second pair would instantly upgrade that group.
The question, as always, is price. Islanders GM Mathieu Darche isn’t going to give him away. The 20th overall pick should be the starting point, and honestly that feels fair for both sides. Think about it: Buffalo sends Byram and Kesselring out, brings Pelech in, and still has the fourth overall pick — probably to draft a defenseman. That’s a deal that makes the Sabres better right now while also restocking the pipeline. Kesselring had a rough season, so swapping him for a steadier option isn’t crazy.
Why Would the Islanders Do This?
The Islanders had a late-season collapse that cost them a real shot at the playoffs in Matthew Schaefer’s rookie year. Pelech was one of the few consistent pieces all season. But here’s the thing — they’ve got a logjam at left defense. Schaefer is the future. Alexander Romanov is coming back from injury. Moving Pelech clears a roster spot and frees up cap space for other moves.
New York already traded a first-rounder for Brayden Schenn at the deadline. They still have expectations for next season, but they also need to rebuild what they gave up. Adding Buffalo’s 20th overall pick would help restock the prospect cupboard. And if trading Pelech clears the way for something bigger — like a run at Jason Robertson from Dallas, which would fix a power play that was brutal most of last season — then it makes even more sense.
The Sabres need a defenseman now. The Islanders have one who could push Buffalo to another level. These two teams don’t trade often, but the fit here is obvious. Pelech in Buffalo? It feels like the kind of move that quietly makes a team dangerous.
The first round of the NHL Draft is Friday. Buffalo picks at No. 4 and No. 20. For now.
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