Buffalo Sabres Right Wing Question May Have Answer
The Buffalo Sabres are moving towards the NHL draft with several needs and just as many options to meet them. This is going to be a young group moving forward with few exceptions. That youth will be counted on to improve goal scoring from two seasons of historically low results.
When you look at the roster one of the glaring needs seems to be right-wing. The right-wing depth of the Buffalo Sabres now consists of Jerry D’Amigo, Patrick Kaleta and captain Brian Gionta. Right now there is no fourth line and both D’Amigo and Kaleta are far from locks to make the team.
In looking for right-wing depth, GM Tim Murray can continue to target the type of player he acquired in Evander Kane: a twenty-something with talent that needs a change of scenery. I can live with that. Kane will be fantastic paired with Tyler Ennis and Jack Eichel. Have fun with that line, NHL.
On the second or third line the Buffalo Sabres could use a player like Joel Ward, now an unrestricted free agent after the Washington Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs. Ward made $3 million with the Caps last year and may not wind up back with the team considering Braden Holtby and Mike Green are up for new contracts, among others.
Ward doesn’t fit the “young gun” mold like Kane does but a balance of veterans is important to steady the young Buffalo Sabres core. Ward is a younger 34-years old having broken into the league eight years ago. And it’s not as if Ward hasn’t made his mark in the league.
Throwing out his first year where he played only eleven games, Ward has scored ten or more goals in five of his seven season. Two years ago Ward buried 24 goals and was one short of the 20-goal mark this season. He knows how to find the back of the net with some consistency.
Ward got it done in the playoffs too, finishing this run tied for the team lead in points with Alex Ovechkin (nine). Of course playing with Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on your line will help the stat line. Should Ward join the Buffalo Sabres it’s likely on the second line with potential partners in Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson.
Of course the price would have to be right. It’s reasonable for players hitting free agency to expect a raise. But how much of a raise from $3 million per year can be expected for a 34-year old player? And it’s still possible Ward gets that raise from Washington. That will largely depend on the contract Holtby gets (I think a big one) and if Mike Green is brought back.
In a free agency season where the pickings are slimmer than past years, the Buffalo Sabres could find value in Joel Ward. A veteran presence with playoff success at a position of need. The biggest questions seem to be money and whether Ward would have interest leaving Washington.
This is just one of many stories that will play out for the Buffalo Sabres at the draft and in the weeks that follow. Ward is certainly a player I wouldn’t mind taking the ice for the Blue and Gold when the first puck drops in October.
Next: Tyler Ennis Scores 'Golden' Goal For Team Canada
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