*Photo from NHL.com*
This offseason for the Buffalo Sabres can be described in two words. Blow up. Superstar center and captain Jack Eichel is still here, but a lot of good players are gone in another reset for the Sabres, who have been spinning the tires of rebuilds for the last 20 plus years.
Let's get into the departures first. Eichel's wingman Sam Reinhart is gone, traded to the Florida Panthers just before the opening of free agency. Former first round pick turned disappointment Rasmus Ristolainen is also gone, traded to the Flyers. Left shot D Jake McCabe is also gone, signing a 4 year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on the opening day of free agency.
Then, we get to the goalies. Their starter and bedrock of the team Linus Ullmark left in free agency, signing a 4 year deal with the Boston Bruins. Ullmark's backup Carter Hutton is gone too after signing a one year deal with the Arizona Coyotes. They are left with Dustin Tokarski, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and some new acquisitions in the goalie picture.
To replace Hutton and Ullmark, they went for old veterans for cheap prices. Capitals 3rd goalie and journeyman Craig Anderson was first, with the 40 year old netminder agreeing to a one year deal with the Sabres on the opening day of free agency. They also signed 32 year old Aaron Dell to likely form a platoon with Anderson. They also got a nice goalie prospect in Devon Levi back from the Panthers in the Reinhart deal.
Outside of goalie, they went after defense help to compensate for losing Ristolainen and McCabe. Right shot D Mark Pysyk is first, returning to Buffalo on a one year deal, as a former first round pick of the Sabres. Left shot D Will Butcher was acquired in a trade with the Devils, and left shot D Robert Hagg was acquired from the Flyers in the Ristolainen trade. They also signed center Vinnie Hinostroza.
For the Sabres, it will be another season of non contention and a likely top draft pick once again. Whatever success Buffalo does have this season is dependent on whether or not Eichel is playing for them, which at the moment is unsolved.
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