Speculation about what the Buffalo Sabres could do at the NHL trade deadline has begun to run rampant. After all, it’s a bit of uncharted territory for Buffalo, actually becoming a buyer instead of a seller at the deadline.

With that in mind, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic used his spider senses to focus on one crucial upgrade: A depth defenseman of the rugged persuasion.

That addition makes sense as the need for more physicality in the Sabres’ lineup is evident. And one blueliner who could fill that role is current Toronto Maple Leafs D-man Simon Benoit.

Benoit has been one of the names popping out of Toronto this season. The team could be looking to sell amid a disappointing season. So, the team’s cheaper depth pieces could be attractive to some clubs looking for affordable depth.

As Fairburn noted, Benoit is a “big and physical defenseman who could handle himself on Buffalo’s bottom pair.”

That’s not bad, particularly since the Sabres don’t need a superstar blueliner. They just need reliable depth. Plus, Fairburn noted that Benoit has notched over 200 hits over the last three years.

It’s also worth pointing out that Benoit won’t cost an arm and a leg to acquire or add to the team. The Maple Leafs would be lucky to get a mid-round pick for the 27-year-old. That said, his $1.35 million cap hit for this season and next might drive up his acquisition cost a little bit.

Benoit brings one other key element to the table

There’s another interesting element that Simon Benoit brings to the table. Beyond his tough, physical nature, he’s got playoff experience. He’s played a total of 20 postseason contests with the Maple Leafs over the last two seasons. While that may not seem like a lot, it’s worth noting that it’s much more than most of the guys on the Sabres’ current roster.

That experience is something that the Sabres could benefit from at this point. There’s a growing sense that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen will be looking to target trade deadline additions with playoff experience. It’s the sort of thing that a club like the Sabres could certainly benefit from moving forward.

While Benoit is not the only potential target out there for the Sabres, he’s a cost-effective option who could deliver big gains. Unless the Maple Leafs suddenly want an arm and a leg for Benoit, the cost-benefit relationship for the Sabres could be too hard to ignore in a trade like this.