The discussion about this year’s draft has been about the deep prospect pool for a few years now. General managers dream about drafting in these types of drafts. Unfortunately, Buffalo stands just outside of the group of players that has so many people excited about this draft class.

Fans know it, the professionals know it and apparently the team knows it.

This draft features elite prospects at the top ( including Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and Aleksander Barkov). After the first five or six prospects this draft appears to come back down to earth in a sense. Buffalo currently sits at eight, just outside of the top group.

Sitting at eight isn’t good enough for the Sabres, as the Buffalo News’ John Vogl points out. The desire behind moving up likely comes from the fact that Buffalo has picked outside of the top five of the draft every year since 2003 (when they picked up current star forward Thomas Vanek). None of the players they have drafted since then are the big time prospects a franchise needs to really change their fortunes.

Of course, none of this means that the top prospects absolutely will turn the team around. They could end up with a bust that costs them a fortune to acquire. It might be Buffalo’s luck that it would turn out that way, but the time has come to at least take a chance.

Going back to Vogl’s article, he discusses how each team drafting in the top four of this draft has made a comment about potentially trading their pick to teams looking to move up. He also mentions the recent moves up the draft board teams have made to give comparables to what it may cost the Sabres. The trades from around eight to get into the four/five slots has generally just cost teams a second round pick on top of their first rounder. This year might be a little more expensive. Would the Sabres be willing to give up both of their first round picks (8 and 16) to land the fourth or fifth pick? That may be a question they end up having to answer. Or maybe it’ll cost them eight and their two second rounders?

Vogl also mentions how Director of Amateur Scouting Kevin Devine, in an interview with WGR, said that conversations about trading up have mainly included the Sabres younger players. So while Vanek and Ryan Miller may be on the trading block, they may go in separate deals not related to moving up.

So does trading players like Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno or one of the more recent top picks make sense? It does if Buffalo REALLY wants to make the splash to move up. (In my opinion, I wouldn’t trade Tyler Ennis unless it’s straight up for a top five pick or in a trade up into the top three).

Why and how to trade up for Buffalo

The reasons to move up have already been outlined pretty clearly: the farther up the Sabres go, the more likely they are to land a franchise-changing player.

But what would be the goal to trading up to each spot ahead of eight take for Buffalo and who would the target be? Let’s take a look…

Seventh overall: Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have mentioned how they are willing to move the pick. They have good reason to consider the move because they’re loaded with top-end young talent but lack veterans. Their biggest need would be defensively.

What it would take: If Buffalo would be moving up just one slot from eighth, it wouldn’t take more than a late round pick. However, acquiring seven would likely be more in the conversation of either moving up from sixteen or straight up for veteran players. Guys like Tyler Myers immediately come to mind for Edmonton’s defensive need. Vanek and Miller would also both be of interest to Edmonton. Especially Vanek, considering they tried acquiring him before. Younger prospects such as Mark Pysyk or Brayden McNabb likely wouldn’t be of interest to Edmonton since the seventh pick could land them a better defensive prospect.

Who they’d target: Buffalo would target a defensive prospect if they swapped eight and seven (Darnell Nurse, Rasmus Ristolainen). If they acquire seven without giving up eight then Elias Lindholm or Sean Monahan could be the pick.

Sixth overall: Calgary Flames

What it would take: Similar to the Edmonton pick, this could be either a move up from eight/sixteen or a straight-up trade. For move up from eight, it would likely take no more than a third rounder. Getting up from sixteen would likely cost that pick and a young player like Ennis or Zemgus Girgensons. Vanek and Miller could be in this conversation, as well, but they Miller likely wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause and Vanek likely wouldn’t sign an extension to go to a rebuilding team.

Who they’d target: The targets here would be similar to the ones they would target with the seventh pick. However, this could also be a spot where a top five prospect such as Valeri Nichushkin or Barkov falls.

Fifth overall: Carolina Hurricanes

What it would take: Now it starts getting more expensive. In the past, it has taken teams a pick from seven through nine and their second rounder to acquire this pick. This year, it might cost Buffalo eight and sixteen or eight and two second rounders. Could a deal like eight, Andrej Sekera and a late pick get it done? Possibly.

Who they’d target: Most likely whoever remains between Barkov and Nichushkin with the outside possibility of taking Elias Lindholm.

Fourth overall: Nashville Predators

What it would take: To get to four, it would likely take at least both first rounders for the Sabres. (I think it would be worth it). Nashville wants to get an “offer they can’t refuse” if they trade the pick. That would likely do it, but they also could target Vanek. They sorely need scoring since they have a lot of talent and youth defensively. Vanek instantly becomes the best scorer for Nashville, and the Sabres’ star may be appealed by a Nashville team that likely isn’t as far away as the fourth overall selection suggests. Ennis could also enter the conversation.

Who they’d target: Whoever they like most out of Barkov or Nichushkin, or if one of the top three fall they’d land in Buffalo here. (Acquiring this pick over Carolina’s fifth pick would allow Buffalo to make their choice of Barkov/Nichushkin instead of taking what’s left).

Third overall: Tampa Bay Lighting

What it would take: Now’s the time to throw out all “untouchable” players talk and begin giving up players otherwise considered long-term mainstays. A mixture of draft picks, veterans and prospects will start the conversation. MacKinnon, Drouin and Jones are considered three of the best prospects to come out in a long time. They’re all in the same draft and teams are guaranteed one of them if selecting in the top three. So would Buffalo give a team in their division the players it would cost? Maybe Myers, eight and sixteen? Maybe Miller, eight and a second rounder? That’s about where this might be and maybe even more.

Who they’d target: Whichever one of the top three fall here. It would likely be Drouin.

Second overall: Florida Panthers

What it would take: Another one of the Sabres new division mates here. Florida has almost no reason to trade down because they have a severe need for a top-end forward prospect. Choosing between MacKinnon and Drouin would fill that need. So Buffalo would have to say goodbye to Miller, both first rounders and then a top young offensive prospect. This might sound like a lot, but Buffalo might have to strongly consider this type of move.

Who they’d target: Seth Jones or Nathan MacKinnon. Whichever player doesn’t go first overall between those two.

First overall: Colorado Avalanche

What it would take: The discussion for this pick has already started. It would be an absolute shocker if this ever came to be, but there are some interesting conversations to be had. New Avs coach Patrick Roy stated that he’d be willing to trade the pick. He also spent a few years coaching the Sabres’ top prospect Mikhail Grigorenko with the Quebec Remparts. That likely means Grigorenko would be in the deal either way. Speculation has a deal as something like Grigorenko, Miller, two first picks and a defensive prospect. That’s the definition of mortgaging the future for a single player. Myers could swap himself in for Miller or another piece. A final deal would likely look like Grigorenko, Miller OR Vanek, eight, sixteen and Brayden McNabb.

Who they’d target: Devine said that the target would be Jones or MacKinnon, but I can’t imagine this move is made without MacKinnon in mind.

So what should Buffalo do? What would you give up? Let me know in the comments section below.