Almost a year ago, the Buffalo Sabres made their biggest move of the offseason, acquiring right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade with the Utah Mammoth.
Today, after playing just 34 games last season, Kesselring, 26, is a member of the San Jose Sharks.
The Sabres on Wednesday made their first move this offseason, trading Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in the NHL Draft on June 26 in Buffalo to the Sharks in exchange for the 20th selection.
By moving up seven spots, the Sabres improved a top pick many observers believe they will try to package in a trade for immediate help.
The deal was hardly surprising. Kesselring endured a difficult year, suffering a few early-season injuries before losing his spot in the lineup.
Counting the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he played just three of the Sabres’ final 30 games.
Overall, Kesserling compiled two assists and 50 penalty minutes. He played just one of the Sabres’ 13 playoff contests.
Former general manager Kevyn Adams acquired Kesselring and winger Josh Doan on June 26 in the deal that sent winger JJ Peterka to Salt Lake City.
In the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Kesselring, the Sabres believed they possessed an up-and-coming defender – he registered seven goals and 29 points in his last season with the Utah franchise – to play alongside Owen Power.
Doan, of course, ended up scoring 25 goals and earning a seven-year, $48.65 million contract extension.
Kesselring, who said he had never been injured before hurting his knee late in training camp, fell behind early and had trouble acclimating to his new team. He missed the first nine games. After playing nine times, he suffered a high ankle sprain he later re-injured.
After enjoying some regular duty in the winter, the arrival of defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn before the trade deadline and the emergence of rookie Zach Metsa pushed Kesselring out of the lineup.
The writing was on the wall months ago, especially with a new GM, Jarmo Kekalainen, in charge.
Still, following the season, the Sabres expressed confidence in Kesselring, who’s a restricted free agent this offseason.
“We believe in him still,” coach Lindy Ruff said last month.
After their exit meeting last month, Ruff said Kesselring acknowledged he had trouble handling injuries.
As Kesselring recovered early in the season, Power, captain Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves as the Sabres’ top defensemen.
When Kesselring played, he often skated short minutes as the fifth or sixth defender. In that role, a defenseman must adjust his style a bit and become what Ruff called “a predictable player.”
“Predictable means going out doing the right things, and don’t hurt your team,” he said last month. “You don’t have to be an offensive guy, just be a good defenseman.”
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Starting next season, the Sabres’ home jersey will have a bit of a different look.
The Sabres on Wednesday announced they will be sporting a Seneca Niagara Resorts and Casinos sponsor’s patch on their jerseys for home games.
The NHL began allowing teams to wear sponsor patches in the 2022-23 season.
The Sabres announced in May that Stark Energy, a Buffalo-based company, will be the sponsor’s logo on their road jersey.