The Buffalo Sabres could end up shopping a pair of defensemen, and the Detroit Red Wings would do well to listen.

Before I get started, I just wanted to be clear about something: The Red Wings will not acquire two defensemen from the same team. But the Sabres have a pair of blueliners they may end up pawning off if the price was right.

And we know general manager Steve Yzerman isn’t immune to blockbuster trades, so if it means making the Red Wings better, know that he’ll explore this option with an open mind. The Wings still need help scoring, and since letting Shayne Gostisbehere walk, they’ve since lacked a playmaker on the blue line outside Moritz Seider. Simon Edvinsson is loaded with potential, but they need more.

That said, the trade deadline gives the Wings a golden opportunity to get that playmaker, and either Owen Power or Bowen Byram could answer the call. That’s if Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams agreed to a trade, obviously.

The Red Wings could opt for a Sabres defenseman instead of a forward

Previously, I talked about how Dylan Cozens could fit in with the Red Wings. And while he remains a front-runner to play in Hockeytown, if Yzerman instead opted to acquire a couple of blueliners, the Wings should be enamored with the possibility of bringing in either Power or Byram.

Both have played solid hockey for the Sabres this season, with Byram snagging 29 points and seven goals in 54 games while Power’s garnered six goals and 29 points in 54 contests. Earlier in the year, Power displayed his potential as a former No. 1 overall pick, with three goals and 15 points in his first 20 games.

Of course, both players would come with a massive price tag, and nothing less than a first-round pick and at least one high-profile prospect or youngster would make for an acceptable deal. Still, there’s a need on the blueline and the Wings are in too good of contention to let an opportunity like this slip.

Could the Sabres package a couple of players to the Wings?

No, I’m not talking about packaging Byram and Power to Detroit and am instead discussing the possibility of Kevyn Adams packaging Dylan Cozens and Power/Byram to the Motor City. Critics would point out that none of the above will be superstars in the league or even live to their respective draft-day potential.

But we also need to ask ourselves how well this duo could perform if they’re placed onto a more talented, deeper team than the Sabres. This would allow Cozens and Power/Byram to factor in as supplementary contributors and immediately transform the Red Wings into one of the deepest teams in the Atlantic.

As with trading for either Power or Byram, the price tag would be hefty, and at least one more young, NHL-ready player or prospect would be the bare minimum. But is there really any price you would put on the Wings potentially contending for a deep playoff run this year?

Or, with the overall youth of Power/Byram and Cozens, plus the lengthy deals that Power and Cozens are on, it’s two more for the Red Wings core. No, neither player has lived to their sheer expectations in Buffalo, and that’s got to be acknowledged. But it shouldn’t discourage Yzerman from seeking out one of those two defensemen and possibly Cozens.