Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Frenzy: Five Centers To Avoid

1. Andrew Shaw

Let me start this off by saying: Andrew Shaw is really not a bad hockey player. But is he worth targeting this offseason for the Buffalo Sabres?

I don’t think so.

I’ll be quite frank here. Part of the reason I’m putting Shaw on this list is directly related to the fact that he was suspended one game this past season for apparently using an anti-gay slur.

That’s not the kind of attitude or personality, or type of player, that I want on my Buffalo Sabres team going forward.

If you can manage to put that incident aside and focus on his playing performance only, there’s still the question of affordability and practicality.

The 24-year-old is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason after earning $2.5 million this past season, with  a cap hit of $2 million. At this point, the 2011 fifth-rounder has 322 regular-season NHL games under his belt, with 137 points (and 300 penalty minutes) in that time.

I just don’t think he’s worth it, so sorry, Buffalo Sabres – just say no.

Next: Been There, Done That..