Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Frenzy: Five Defensemen To Target

What should the Buffalo Sabres do in free agency?

The NHL’s free agency period begins in less than a month, and there’s little doubt that Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray will be a busy man – especially if last summer is any indication.

Murray isn’t afraid to take a risk, and it can pay off big time for the Buffalo Sabres if he pulls the trigger on the right player.

Each Friday in June, we’ll look at some of the players that the Buffalo Sabres could target when the free agency period opens.

Heading into July 1, here’s the situation for the Buffalo Sabres in terms of defensemen, the topic of our first Free Agent Frenzy post:

Currently Locked Up

1. Zach Bogosian (cap hit $5.143 million next season)
2. Josh Gorges ($3.9 million)
3. Cody Franson ($3.325 million)
4. Mark Pysyk ($1.125 million)
5. Brady Austin ($635,000)
6. Brendan Guhle ($667,000)
7. Brycen Martin (635,000)
8. Michael Sdao ($650,000)

Pending RFAs

1. Rasmus Ristolainen
2. Jake McCabe
3. Casey Nelson

Pending UFAs

1. Carlo Colaiacovo
2. Bobby Sanguinetti
3. Matt Donovan (UFA IV)
4. Chad Ruhwedel (UFA IV)

If the Buffalo Sabres are able to re-sign both Ristolainen and McCabe, and perhaps send Nelson to the AHL, they’ll have six NHL defensemen, with Austin, Guhle, Martin & Sdao all at the AHL level. (And assuming all the UFAs are not re-signed, or aren’t coming to the NHL.)

That certainly leaves some room for the Buffalo Sabres to sign a few free agent blueliners, but who could they go for?

1. Dmitry Orlov

Dmitry Orlov is the youngest player on my list of five defensemen the Buffalo Sabres could target this offseason, and the only restricted free agent. Would it be worth it for the Buffalo Sabres to put out an offer sheet for him?

More from Sabre Noise

• 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
• 3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres final Prospects Challenge game
• Buffalo Sabres experiment with lesser-known talent in loss to Pens
• Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh: A quick look at the Penguins prospects

Orlov is only 24 years old, and – I think – could fit nicely into the youth model of the Buffalo Sabres defense.

He’s coming off his first full NHL season with the Washington Capitals, having split the past few seasons prior between Washington and Hershey of the AHL.

Orlov played in all 82 games this past season with the Caps, registering 29 points and 26 penalty minutes and finishing the season a plus-8. He added one point and two penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.

Orlov averaged 16:01 ice time per game and played 42:35 on the power-play this season, third-highest among Caps defensemen (behind Matt Niskanen and John Carlson).

And before anyone says it – yes, I know he’s Russian. Don’t use that as an excuse for why the Buffalo Sabres “shouldn’t” go for it.

Next: Give Brennan Another Chance?

2. T.J. Brennan

Ah, T.J. Brennan. Honestly, I liked Brennan back in his days with the Buffalo Sabres and the Rochester Americans (and the Portland Pirates, looking even further back) and while he has limited NHL experience, he could provide more depth to the Sabres’ blueline.

Brennan is a few years out of his last experience with the Buffalo Sabres, and it’s quite a different organization than from his previous stint here.

The now 27-year-old spent most of this season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, playing only seven NHL games, while putting up a cap hit of $675,000.

He may not be the top guy on anyone’s NHL list, but he could be a solid depth signing for the Buffalo Sabres going forward.

Next: Yandle, Yandle, Yandle

3. Keith Yandle

Twenty-nine year-old Keith Yandle could be the left-shooting defenseman the Buffalo Sabres are looking for.

Originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2005, the Boston native spent this past season with the New York Rangers. He appeared in all 82 regular-season games and racked up an impressive 42 assists, totally 47 points in the regular season.

He was the only Rangers blueliner to appear in every game, and registered 43 hits, 68 blocked shots and 27 takeaways. Yandle also registered 160 shots on goal, a Rangers team-high among defensemen, while averaging 19:57 ice time per night.

Yandle was a big power-play man, playing 213:38 with the man advantage – a team-high among defensemen, over 50 minutes more than any other NYR blueliner.

Yandle earned $5.750 million this past season with a cap hit of $2.625 million and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

So, Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray, why not give him a spin?

Next: Love the Idea of Lovejoy

5. Brian Campbell

Here I am, swearing that I usually don’t go for players coming back to teams, but giving both Brennan and now, Brian Campbell, a second chance.

Campbell is by far the oldest player on this list, at 37 years old, but I think he could be worth a glance or two. Of course, he also had a cap hit of $7.14 million this past seasoon, so… maybe not quite at that price, but at a lower one? Sure, why not?

Age can be a factor here, but in all honesty, it seems like Campbell has improved ten-fold since his previous stint with the Buffalo Sabres, which ended eight years ago.

This season, Campbell averaged a team-high 22:16 per game, playing in all 82 regular-season games with the Panthers – one of only two players on the team to appear in every game.

He’s been a solid piece of the Florida Panthers’ blueline core for the past five seasons, and it’s highly possible that they try to re-sign him, but if not, maybe Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray can give it a spin.

Next: Buffalo Sabres Should Re-Sign These Three

What other free agent defensemen would you like to see the Buffalo Sabres target this offseason?