Brett Pesce has been mentioned in the NHL trade rumors mill quite a few times this offseason, but nothing has become of the rumors. Pesce has become expendable with the recent signing of free-agent defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
Pesce was believed to be part of a package offered to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Erik Karlsson but taking on Karlsson’s salary just could not work for the Hurricanes, so they settled on Tony DeAngelo.
Brett Pesce headed to the Buffalo Sabres?
Brett Pesce will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and NHL Insider Darren Dreger reported back in June that if the Hurricanes are unable to re-sign Pesce to a long-term deal, he will be traded at some point this offseason.
NHL trade rumors have the Buffalo Sabres showing interest in Brett Pesce as they are looking to add a top-four defenseman to the lineup, and they are one of the teams that can take on his $4 million salary cap hit.
Pesce does have a modified no-trade clause that he submits a list of 15 teams he would be willing to be traded to.
What are NHL fans saying about a potential Brett Pesce trade to the Buffalo Sabres?
With Brent Burns coming off the books in 2024-25 you must think the Canes will find a way to resign Pesce. He is 28 and a solid defenseman.
The Carolina Hurricanes are making a mistake if Pesce is traded.
He would look good in a Buffalo Sabres jersey. But with the Canes as one of the Stanley Cup favorites, they will keep him for the playoffs and risk losing him for nothing in the offseason.
I think they could have some kind of plans to trade a few of these players, but they just took a break from the recent trade rumors. They have to get rid of quite a few players I think, it would free up space for an acquisition if they so choose.