Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Frenzy: Five Centers To Target

What should the Buffalo Sabres do in free agency?

In just a few short weeks, the NHL’s free agency period will begin, and if previous action is any indication, Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray will be a busy man.

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.

Last week, we discussed defensemen – both ones that Murray should target, and ones he should avoid when free agency hits.

Today, we’ll talk about the Buffalo Sabres’ faceoff guys: the centers.

Currently Locked Up

1. Ryan O’Reilly (cap hit: $7.5 million)
2. Tyler Ennis ($4.6 million)
3. Jack Eichel ($3.775 million)
4. Sam Reinhart ($3.544 million)

Pending RFAs

1. Zemgus Girgensons

Pending UFAs

1. David Legwand

In addition to these guys, Cody McCormick has now retired.

While the Buffalo Sabres already have a handful of centers signed for next season (although I wouldn’t mind trading Tyler Ennis, to be honest), GMTM can do anything.

Here are five free agent centers I wouldn’t mind seeing him pursue.

Next: 1. Get Me a Prince

1. Shane Prince

I swear, I didn’t put Shane Prince on this list JUST because he’s from Spencerport, a short drive away from Buffalo. I swear.

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Honestly – he could be a good deal for the Buffalo Sabres. This past season, Prince earned $700,000 with an identical cap hit, finishing the year as a member of the New York Islanders.

The 23-year-old is still fairly young, having just finished his first full season in the NHL, but I see some potential in him.

He registered 12 points (3-9) in 42 games with the Ottawa Senators. He then went on to put up five points (3-2) in 20 games with the Isles.

This kid was a gem with the Binghamton Senators in the AHL – especially in his last season there, where he averaged just shy of a point-per-game status.

But it doesn’t seem like he’s reached his full potential in the NHL just yet, and that’s where I see a spot for him with the Buffalo Sabres.

The tricky part with this one – and one other who’ll show up on this list – is that Prince is only set to be a restricted free agent this season. If the Buffalo Sabres want him, they’ll have to pursue him hard and put in an offer sheet.

Would you do it?

Next: How Many Boychuks Would A Boychuk Chuk If A....

2. Zach Boychuk

Could Zach Boychuk be a good addition to the Buffalo Sabres?

The 26-year-old was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes 14th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. (In a weird coincidence, before that, he was also playing for the Hurricanes – of Lethbridge in the WHL, that is.)

Anyways, after a few seasons between the Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate in Albany/Charlotte, Boychuk spent a little time with Pittsburgh and Nashville.

He then went BACK to the Hurricanes organization, where once again, he’s split the past few seasons between the AHL and NHL.

This past season, Boychuk spent the entire season in the AHL, first with Charlotte, where he put up 25 points (9-16) in 56 games. He was later assigned to the Bakersfield Condors and finished the season with five points (3-2) in 16 games there.

It seems pretty clear that Boychuk won’t be back with the Carolina Hurricanes. Maybe he could fit into a spot with the Buffalo Sabres organization, even if only with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

Next: Another Former Senator?

3. Mike Hoffman

How about Mike Hoffman?

The Buffalo Sabres organization already has a few former Sens in its midst, mostly in the AHL (see: Cole Schneider, Alex Guptill, Eric O’Dell and Michal Sdao). Why not add another one?

Hoffman is the last of the restricted free agents I’ll put on this list. He was paid $2 million last season by the Senators, with an identical cap hit.

Hoffman, 26, was drafted by the Sens 130th overall in 2009. The Kitchener native has spent all of the last two seasons in the NHL.

This past season, Hoffman put up 59 points – 29 goals, 30 assists – in 78 games. The season prior, he had 48 points (27-21) in 79 games.

Could the Buffalo Sabres give the Kitchener native a chance?

Next: You Have To Know What's Coming...

4. Steven Stamkos

You had to know this one was coming, right?

Now, let me clarify. I honestly, sincerely, do NOT think that the Buffalo Sabres are going to get Steven Stamkos this summer. I highly doubt it. My brain says “Pfft. Yeah, right. Like THAT’S going to happen.”

But hey — I had to include him, because…. you never know, right?

The 26-year-old would no doubt be the priciest of any of the options on this list, and that is a huge part of what makes it hard for me to say yes to this one. Stamkos earned $5.5 million this past season and had a cap hit of $7.5 million.

He’s set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and for the time being, it seems like he could walk away from Tampa Bay. (Of course, there’s conflicting reports, and a chance that Tampa Bay could try to re-sign him IS possible…)

In case I need to remind y’all: Stammer is a former 1st-overall selection (2008). This past season, he put up 64 points, including 36 goals, in 77 regular-season games.

He just wrapped up his eighth NHL season, and has already won two Rocket Richard trophies.

All things considered – what are your thoughts on Stamkos?

Next: Last, But Not Least...