Mar 11, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Brian Flynn (65) checks Nashville Predators defenseman Seth Jones (3) during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
RIGHT WINGERS
There are four right wingers in the Sabres organization who will need to be signed before they hit free agency next July.
First, there’s Chris Stewart, who is set to earn $4.15 million this season. He hasn’t proven himself in the Sabres organization yet and he’ll have to work hard this season to prove to fans – and Tim Murray – that he’s earning that kind of contract. See what happens, but the price may be too high to consider re-signing him next summer.
Long-time Sabres winger Drew Stafford may also hit free agency in July 2015. He’s a long-tenured player in this organization but will need to step up this season to prove his worth. He’s earning $4 million in the 2014-2015 NHL season and will likely look for a raise in the future. If he does hit free agency next summer, could he end up signing in Minnesota with Thomas Vanek?
Then there’s Patrick Kaleta and Brian Flynn.
Kaleta’s going to earn $1.25 million this year and quite frankly… is it worth it? Tim Murray will have to seriously think about what he brings to the table and see how he behaves this season to figure out if it’s worth it.
Flynn is one of those players who could flip-flop between Buffalo and Rochester this season, but he seems to be a solid developing right winger in the organization. He’ll earn $637,500 this season and will be a restricted free agent next July unless Tim Murray re-signs him before that.