John Vogl of The Athletic: The Buffalo Sabres, at this point, are like an expansion team. With the increasingly likely departures of Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel, Kevyn Adams has decisions to make. Even Rasmus Ristolainen may get traded before July 17th.
So the list of protects will look a good deal different between now and then. Seattle also has an exclusive free-agent window as well. Buffalo can go with the 7-3-1 or 8-1 plan. The former is more likely than the latter just like in 2017 when it came to Vegas.