As the league prepares for the roster freeze ahead of the Olympics, teams are going to try to fit some deals in before the games in Italy. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres linked up to make a deal on Saturday afternoon, but it's not one that is going to alter the trajectories of either team's seasons.
The #Canes have acquired forward Viktor Neuchev from Buffalo in exchange for defenseman Gavin Bayreuther
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 24, 2026
Details » https://t.co/0IZ4Jmt1ie pic.twitter.com/9Qgg6k8VWV
The Hurricanes sent defenseman Gavin Bayreuther to the Sabres for forward prospect Viktor Neuchev. Bayreuther, 31, joined the organization this offseason on a one-year deal. While he was briefly called up to the NHL, he never made an appearance with the Canes. In 33 AHL games in Chicago, Beyreuther recorded four goals and 13 points.
In Bayreuther, the Sabres are getting a defenseman with NHL experience, though he hasn't made an appearance in the NHL since the 2022-23 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buffalo is currently without Connor Timmons and Jacob Bryson on the blue line, so the deal could be an attempt to fortify the group as they continue their push for the postseason.
Neuchov was drafted in the third round by the Sabres in 2022. The 22-year-old winger is listed at a touch under 6' and has spent his last two-and-a-half seasons with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. He scored 11 goals in 2023-24 and is on pace to set new bests this season, currently sitting with six goals and 16 points in 34 games.
I don't think this is a move that should be read into too much. Neuchev won't threaten to make the Hurricanes' roster this season. He is in the final year of his entry-level deal, making him a restricted free agent at the end of the season. For now, he'll be a good addition to the Chicago Wolves, providing a little more forward depth to the team.
On paper, I like this deal for the Hurricanes. They traded for a younger player with a little more team control. The move is more likely to pay dividends for the Sabres sooner, given Bayreuther is the likelier to play in the NHL this season, but who knows what this could be in the future, assuming the Canes qualify Neuchev this offseason? It's a decent piece of business for Carolina and Buffalo alike.