Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Target: Johnny Oduya

A key piece that the Buffalo Sabres are still missing from their lineup for next year is a left hand shot top four defenseman. Looking through the free agent pool, there is one name that comes to mind specifically that would be a great fit on the Sabres blue line.

Related – Free Agent Target: Alexander Semin

Last year that signing was assumed to be the likes of Andrej Meszaros, but that did not pan out well. The player I have in mind is much more defensively sound and has a couple of Stanley Cup rings to his credit as well. The man I want is Johnny Oduya.

Through his career, Oduya has proven a number of things. First and most importantly is that he needs to be responsible in his own end first. He exhibits that with great precision, having only three seasons out of eleven that he was a minus (his rookie year with the Devils and then two seasons between the rebuilding Thrashers/Jets).

More from Free Agency

Oduya was a key element to the Blackhawks defensive strength that brought them to the Cup finals this year and he shows no signs of slowing down. With the Buffalo Sabres being on an upswing, Oduya could be enticed to don a blue and gold sweater next season.

At the age of 33 he is exiting his prime, but that does not take away anything from the high level defensive skill that he brings to the table. With Nikita Zadorov now gone, Oduya would fill the #3 or #4 defensive slot alongside Mark Pysyk or Rasmus Ristolainen.

Now I’m not saying to sign him forever, but he could be interested in a 2-3 year contract to help complete the rebuild and push towards the playoffs in just a couple of years time. His veteran presence would only do the youngsters good, and his play would only elevate the rest of the team. It would allow the offense to take a few risks while knowing that Odyua has the back one of the ice held down tight.

Tim Murray has said he wants a left shot defenseman and Oduya fits the profile of the kind of guy he likes. There is nothing to not like about Oduya defensively. The only knock on his game is his offensive production, but if you ask me, we don’t need many offense defensemen. Bogosian and Ristolainen both are capable of running the offense from the back end so that takes more pressure off of Oduya should he sign here.

Let me also be clear that this signing makes the most sense by signing him to be a second pair defenseman that can fill in on the top pair if needed. It would allow him to contribute in the ways he knows best in a much more effective role. For example, if Buffalo Sabres fans remember Tyler Myers. We all expected him to be a top two defenseman that could shut down the best players in the league. He was not that and his play suffered for it in Buffalo. When he was traded to Winnipeg, he found his stride as a second pair defender and contributed to the level Sabres fans used to love.

Oduya is a great defenseman and would only help the Buffalo core. Get on it Tim Murray! We need that left shot Defender.

Next: Players To Watch At Development Camp

More from Sabre Noise

Home/Free Agency