The Sabres and Mammoth could become very dangerous with the right moves
Mar 4, 2026 at 10:26 am ET • 1 min read
The NHL trade deadline is approaching quickly, and two franchises are on the doorstep of becoming true Stanley Cup threats. With the right moves, the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth could creep into contender status, and that's why they should take big swings.
In the East, the Sabres are closing in on their first postseason appearance since 2011. Fresh off winning an Olympic gold medal, Tage Thompson is playing some of the best hockey of his career, the young blue line is coming together and the goaltending has been exceptional. Given that the East is wide open this season, there's no need for Buffalo to make tweaks around the edges. The Sabres could go all in for one or two impact players, and they would become one of the favorites to win the conference.
Meanwhile, the Mammoth are trying to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2020 (when they were still the Arizona Coyotes), and the players that make up their young core are entering their prime. One of those rising stars, center Logan Cooley, just returned from injury to give his team a boost for its playoff push. Utah has salary cap space, draft capital and a roster on the rise. That's a deadly combination if handled properly.
Over the next few days, the trade buzz will pick up, and I would anticipate the Sabres and Mammoth being in the thick of it. Whatever they do, it should be bold.
Here are your updated NHL Power Rankings with the biggest trade deadline need for every team, including Buffalo and Utah.
