The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have traded defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Kesselring had been the subject of trade rumors since the completion of the Sabres’ season. Now, he is heading to San Jose, and the Sabres have moved up seven spots in the first round because of it.
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A change of scenery was definitely needed for Kesselring, as he struggled during his lone season with the Sabres. He was limited to only 34 games this regular-season with Buffalo, where he had two assists and 50 penalty minutes. He was also scratched for all but one playoff game for the Sabres this spring.
With this, it is not surprising that the Sabres have moved on from Kesselring. He will now be looking to bounce back on the Sharks, where he should have a more prominent role.
Kesselring was acquired by the Sabres last off-season with Josh Doan in the deal that sent JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. While Kesselring’s time in Buffalo is over, that trade has certainly been a good one for the Sabres due to Doan’s big breakout year.
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