Multi-player trade takes place in the middle of the night between Jets and Sabres!

At the same time as Washington Capitals’ John Carlson was getting moved in a shocking trade to the Anaheim Ducks in the middle of the night, the Buffalo Sabres were pulling off a massive move to shore up their blue line.

Late into the night on Thursday, the Sabres acquired both defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Isak Rosen, defender Jacob Bryson , a 2027 second-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2026.

Winnipeg will retain 50 per cent of Schenn’s salary as part of the trade.

Both Jets’ blue liners had been removed from the lineup ahead of Thursday’s contest against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning for roster management reasons.

Stanley, a left-shot defenseman is on the final season of a two-year, $2.5 million contract that carries a cap hit of $1.25 million, has put up nine goals and 21 points in 59 games with the Jets this season while averaging 17:12 of ice time. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and could be a great rental acquisition for Buffalo.

As for Schenn, who is 36 and was acquired by the Jets at last year’s trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for two draft picks, he has a goal and six points in 46 games with the Jets this season while averaging 13:44 of ice time. He is also in the final season of a three-year, $8.25 million contract and carries a cap hit of $2.75 million and will too become a UFA this summer.

This is the rebound plan for Buffalo who attempted to acquire Blues defenseman Colton Parayko earlier this week but failed when the blue liner rejected the trade out of St. Louis using his no-movement clause.

The Sabres bounced back and have now made serious moves to snap an NHL-worst 14-season playoff appearance drought.