Could Sam Reinhart Be On His Way Out of Buffalo Soon?

It's going to be one of the most interesting offseasons in Buffalo Sabres history. Usually, the offseasons are pretty interesting when the team is bad and that's certainly been the case over the last decade with the Sabres; who have not made the postseason since 2011.

The biggest talk surrounding the Sabres has revolved around captain and star forward Jack Eichel. The disgruntled superstar has been in many trade rumors over the last several weeks and while he could be traded before the NHL Draft this July, there's another player that could find his way out of Western New York this summer.

According to the Associated Press, via The Charging Buffalo, the Columbus Blue Jackets have expressed interest in Sabres center, Sam Reinhart.

This comes with the news from The Atheltic's Aaron Portzline that the Blue Jackets seem unlikely to trade for Eichel, despite what appeared to be interest from Columbus. Risk (Eichel's injury) and compensation are the reasons.

It's no secret that the Sabres are about to make major changes to the roster this summer, but they also have to get the right trades for players like Eichel and Reinhart.

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Reinhart led the team in points last season and was the one bright spot on an abysmal team, while Eichel is one of the five best forwards in hockey. General Manager Kevyn Adams has to get this right or it could set the franchise back even further and spell doom for his tenure as the Sabres GM.

I wouldn't trade Eichel or Reinhart this offseason unless the deals are exactly what they want (should want). High first-round pick this July, a first or second next year, and a team's top prospect with another player in the deal -- that's what I believe it should cost.

If a team doesn't want to give up their number one pick and their top prospect for Eichel, then it's "no deal." Reinhart should command a good return as well, although not as fruitful since as good as Reinhart was this season, he's not the level of player that Eichel is.