The Buffalo Sabres open coaching camp later this week, with just a few adjustments to the roster that completed second-last within the Eastern Conference and a dozen factors out of the ultimate wildcard spot. The membership may have a wholesome Josh Norris centering one of many high two traces, and added depth forwards Josh Doan, Justin Danforth, defensemen Michael Kesselring, Conor Timmins, and goalie Alex Lyon, however have unanswered questions on an damage to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and no sure of who will change the offense of departed winger JJ Peterka.
GM Kevyn Adams appears to be counting on the inner enchancment of kids Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, and Jiri Kulich to select up the slack for Peterka’s 68-point output, and as they’ve performed the previous few season, the membership enters the season with a large chunk of unused wage cap room. This may as soon as once more be the Sabres working below their very own price range, or it could possibly be that they’re holding area in reserve so as to add gamers throughout the season earlier than the March sixth commerce deadline if they’re within the playoff combine.
Advertisement
Other Sabres Stories
Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Lawson Crouse
Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere
One bit of stories that may be a consider Adams making a transfer sooner is final week’s dedication from the NHL that the 5 Hockey Canada gamers (Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote) who had been suspended indefinitely pending the outcomes of their trial. The gamers are actually eligible to signal an NHL contract on October 15 and play NHL video games by December 1.
With the Sabres having six goaltenders on NHL contracts, it’s unlikely that they’d have curiosity in Hart or be a vacation spot that the previous Flyer would select to go to, however Buffalo may have curiosity in both Dube and McLeod. The former Flames ahead had consecutive 18-goal seasons in 2022 and 2023 earlier than struggling previous to being suspended. McLeod (the older brother of the Sabres Ryan) performed for Lindy Ruff his whole four-year stint in New Jersey and was having fun with his greatest offensive season (10 objectives in 45 video games) previous to be suspended by the league.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo