When Jarmo Kekäläinen took over as the Buffalo Sabres general manager, the leaguewide expectation was that he might be open for business in terms of selling off NHL players. Not only does Kekäläinen have a well-earned reputation as an aggressive general manager who is unafraid to make a bold trade, but the Sabres were still on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff race.

But in the two months since Kekäläinen got the job, the Sabres have put themselves firmly in the playoff picture. Now Kekäläinen should be in the business of buying at the NHL trade deadline.

One of the team’s areas of need as the deadline approaches is defensive depth. Buffalo’s top four defenseman have been workhorses lately. Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson are eating a ton of minutes and have been fueling the Sabres’ success in a lot of ways. Samuelsson, Power and Byram have all taken steps this season, while Dahlin has been starting to round into form lately, too.

Beyond those four, the Sabres have some questions. Conor Timmins was a useful player early in the season, but is still recovering from a broken leg. He should be back sometime after the Olympic break. Michael Kesselring, meanwhile, has been fighting through a high-ankle sprain. When those two are 100-percent healthy, the Sabres have a formidable top six. Even Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa have been serviceable when called upon, but Lindy Ruff hasn’t been able to trust them with a ton of minutes.

The Sabres could use another defenseman, preferably one with playoff experience who can play a physical and defensively reliable game. Kekalainen doesn’t need to break the bank, considering the Sabres are set up well for the future on defense. But if this team is going to hold up to the demands of a playoff push, more depth would be helpful.

Which defensemen could be available, and how do they fit Buffalo’s needs?

Connor Murphy, RHD, Chicago Blackhawks

Cap hit: $4.4 million through 2025-26 (UFA)
Trade clause: 10 teams

Connor Murphy fits the Sabres’ needs for another experienced and reliable right-handed defenseman. He would immediately be the oldest player on Buffalo’s blue line. While he doesn’t have a lot of playoff experience (just nine games during the bubble season), Murphy has the physical game to handle playoff hockey. He’s also developed a reputation as a quality player to have in the locker room. And he can kill penalties. His reasonable cap hit will make him a valuable trade chip for Chicago.

Logan Stanley, LHD, Winnipeg Jets

Cap hit: $1.25 million through 2025-26 (UFA)

Logan Stanley is in the final year of his contract and is having a career season offensively with eight goals. But the Sabres wouldn’t be acquiring Stanley for his goal scoring. The 6-foot-7 defenseman would bring a needed nastiness to Buffalo’s blue line. The 27-year-old is probably a bottom-pair defenseman given his inconsistent results defensively, but the Sabres would only need him to fill a depth role.

Justin Faulk, RHD, St. Louis Blues

Cap hit: $6.5 million through 2026-27 (UFA)
Trade clause: 15 teams

Justin Faulk has a long playoff resume that would be an asset for an inexperienced team like the Sabres. He also has another season after this one on his contract, which would make things tricky for the Sabres, who could be facing a cap crunch next season if they want to bring back Alex Tuch. But getting a proven playoff performer to add another layer of depth to the blue line could be appealing, depending on the cost.

Luke Schenn, RHD, Winnipeg Jets

Cap hit: $2.75 million through 2025-26 (UFA)

Luke Schenn is a bottom-pair defenseman at this point in his career, but the 36-year-old comes with plenty of playoff experience. With their injury situation this season, the Sabres have had to lean on Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa to fill bottom pair roles. Being able to turn to an experienced player like Schenn, who can still handle clearing out the front of the net and blocking shots, would be worth exploring. He also shouldn’t be an expensive addition.

Zach Whitecloud, RHD, Calgary Flames

Cap hit: $2.75 million through 2027-28

The Flames just acquired Zach Whitecloud in the Rasmus Andersson trade with Vegas. It’s unclear whether they would be willing to move him again so soon. But the 29-year-old would have plenty of value given his reasonable cap hit for the next two seasons after this one. He has just under 80 playoff games on his resume, along with a Stanley Cup ring. He’s physical, blocks shots and has developed into a reliable defensive player. He would fit perfectly in Buffalo if Calgary makes him available.

Mario Ferraro, LHD, San Jose Sharks

Cap hit: $3.25 million through 2025-26 (UFA)

If the Sharks stay in the playoff race, they might not be selling at the deadline. But Mario Ferraro, who logs a ton of minutes, would be a decent target for the Sabres if the Sharks are willing to move him. He fits the profile of what the Sabres need more of with his competitiveness, shot blocking and ability to kill penalties. He’s spent his entire career in San Jose and has never played in a playoff game, so he doesn’t check that box.

Braden Schneider, RHD, New York Rangers

Cap hit: $2.2 million through 2025-26 (RFA)

The Rangers have made it known that they are selling, so it’s possible that Braden Schneider could be available for the right price. He’s 24, but he does have 43 games of NHL playoff experience. His size and physicality have made him an appealing talent ever since the Rangers drafted him in the first round in 2020. The trouble with Schneider as a target is that it could be a costly acquisition, which only makes sense if the Sabres can fit Schneider into their long-term plans. With Dahlin, Power and Samuelsson already locked up to big contracts and Byram and Kesselring in the mix as well, do the Sabres have room for Schneider long term?

Nick Seeler, LHD, Philadelphia Flyers

Cap hit: $2.75 million through 2027-28
Trade clause: Full no-movement clause

The no-movement clause might be a roadblock with Nick Seeler, but it would be worth pursuing him if the Flyers fall out of contention. His veteran experience and reliable defensive game would help give Ruff options when it comes to balancing out the minutes on the blue line. He hasn’t played much in the playoffs in his career, so maybe he would be willing to come to Buffalo to get a chance at the postseason.

Simon Benoit, LHD, Toronto Maple Leafs

Cap hit: $1.35 million through 2026-27 (UFA)

Simon Benoit is a big and physical defenseman who could handle himself on Buffalo’s bottom pair. He has over 200 hits in each of the last three seasons and is on pace to reach that number again this season. He hasn’t played a ton in the playoffs other than the last two seasons in Toronto. The Maple Leafs should be looking to sell, and Benoit is a player worth targeting.

Brett Kulak, LHD, Pittsburgh Penguins

Cap hit: $2.75 million through 2025-26 (UFA)

Brett Kulak was part of the Tristan Jarry trade earlier this season, but the Penguins could flip him again at the deadline. Pittsburgh has a strong chance to be a playoff team, but Kyle Dubas has still had an eye toward the future in some of his deals. Kulak just went on a deep run to the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton last season. He can play both sides and is a proven penalty killer. So he checks a lot of boxes for the Sabres.