The Buffalo Sabres sent Konsta Helenius, Isak Rosen and Zach Metsa to the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans ahead of the Olympics.

After the game, the Sabres demoted three players; forwards Konsta Helenius, Isak Rosen, and defenseman Zach Metsa to the AHL Rochester Americans. Helenius, who played just 8:02 on Thursday, has gone scoreless in the last six games after starting out with four points in his first three NHL games.

When looking at trade candidates around the league, a few names that could make sense for the Sabres to pursue include Connor Murphy (Chicago Blackhawks), Luke Schenn (Winnipeg Jets), Zach Whitecloud (Calgary Flames), and Braden Schneider (New York Rangers).

The Buffalo Sabres visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night in a key Atlantic Division matchup at Benchmark Arena.

Dahlin has led a Buffalo defense corps that ranks second in the NHL in goals scored by defensemen (39). The Sabres lead the NHL with 55 rush goals (according to Stathletes), which attests to their defensemen’s ability to ignite transition through passing or skating.

Sabres' Mattias Samuelsson is doing something no one else in the NHL has done this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Mattias Samuelsson stands alone in one way this NHL season.

Mattias Samuelsson helps Sabres defensemen make unique franchise history

Guentzel intercepted a breakout pass by Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin atop the left faceoff circle and quickly zipped a pass to Nikita Kucherov near the goal line. Kucherov wasted no time in sending his shot past the glove of Ellis.