Sabres have trade blocked just hours before NHL roster freeze

The NHL's Christmas roster freeze goes into affect at midnight tonight and goes through midnight on December 27th. 

This means that players cannot be waived or traded between tomorrow and the 28th, guaranteeing them that they'll be home with family for Christmas.

Yesterday, in the mad dash to get deals done before the deadline there were three trades consummated. Conspicuously though, Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams made no moves. After a brutal 11 game losing streak and an 'all hands on deck' team meeting that featuring owner Terry Pegula, fans had hoped for some meaningful changes before the roster freeze.

There are reports that Dylan Cozens, Jordan Greenway, Bowen Byram and Tage Thompson are all in play on the trade market, but Adams has neglected to pull the trigger yet. Interestingly enough, it looks like a deal with Greenway may have been blocked from happening due to his injury status. The 27 year old forward was rumored to be in a trade, but because NHL teams cannot trade injured players the trade had to be called off.

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed this morning that Greenway will need surgery and will be out of the team's lineup long-term:

Greenway is signed for one more season at a $3 million cap hit. Don't be surprised if he's traded the moment that he comes off the injured reserve.

For Hockey Feed staff writer's Christine Gosselin earlier report on the Sabres and other failed trades from GM Kevyn Adams, read below. 

Owner Terry Pegula might have met with his Buffalo Sabres in a private meeting for a pep talk ahead of last night’s game against the Canadiens in Montreal, it did not change a thing. The Sabres lost their 11th straight contest, 6-1 this time vs. the Habs, and have plummeted to last in the Eastern Conference.

However, the feeling out of Buffalo is that no major trade is planned and on Wednesday, insider Frank Seravalli reported that despite multiple teams calling the Sabres to make firm offers on players, Buffalo is not returning calls or making counter offers at this time:

“Multiple teams have made firm offers for [Sabres] players that they haven’t even received counters on”.

The question is how long until those calls are returned? There is probably lots of interest for players like Dylan Cozens, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and even Devon Levi.

Reports indicated that the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings may be one of the clubs calling with an offer, along with insider Elliotte Friedman recently spitballing a deal that would see the Sabres ship Cozens and Byram to the Vancouver Canucks for Elias Pettersson.

In his meeting, it is believed that Pegula gave his vote of confidence to GM Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff, along with informing players not to expected a big trade.

I mean something HAS to happen in Buffalo to save this franchise, and clearly, rival teams are coming in with options, so why not consider all offers at this time?