Sabres Acquire Young Forward in Trade
The Buffalo Sabres announced a trade that sent forward Tyler Kopff to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Zac Funk, a move that underscores the club’s intent to refresh its prospect pool.
Funk, a 22‑year‑old who spent the previous season alternating between the ECHL and AHL, posted nine goals and ten assists with the South Carolina Stingrays and added two assists and eight penalty minutes with the Hershey Bears.
Before reaching the professional ranks, he dominated the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars, recording 67 goals and 56 assists in the 2023‑24 season.
Kopff, by contrast, finished the 2025‑26 campaign primarily with the Rochester Americans, where he managed just one goal and five points in 30 games, and contributed two goals and six points in ten appearances for the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.
What the Deal Means
The transaction reflects a strategic shift in Buffalo’s roster construction, as the organization swaps a limited AHL contributor for a younger player with a proven WHL scoring record. For Washington, the acquisition adds depth at forward while clearing a spot on the roster for emerging talent.
Both teams are linked through a network of affiliates that includes the South Carolina Stingrays, the Hershey Bears, and the Rochester Americans, illustrating how minor‑league partnerships continue to shape the development pipeline of the sport.