Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Frenzy: Five Centers To Avoid

Yesterday, we look at the Buffalo Sabres’ situation in regards to centermen, and took a look at five free-agent centers the team could pursue on July 1.

Today, we’ll flip the script and look at five centers that the Buffalo Sabres should stay away from when the NHL free agent period opens.

This list includes two restricted free agents and three unrestricted free agents (pending July 1).

First – again, a quick refresher.

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.

Now – a decent-sized crop of centers to look at in free agency, but please, Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray, stay away from these guys.

Here are five centers I hope the Buffalo Sabres don’t pursue this free agent period.

Next: Just Say No to...

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..

2. Mikhail Grigorenko

Mikhail Grigorenko is another center set to hit free agency this summer. While I seriously doubt Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray would go after him, I still felt the need to put him on this list. No thank you.

We’ve been there with Grigorenko. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt…. and I don’t want to go back.

This past season, Grigorenko played what was essentially his first full NHL season, appearing in a career-high 74 games with the Colorado Avalanche. He, of course, joined the Avs after being traded along with Nikita Zadorov as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade.

The 22-year-old is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason after earning $675,000 this past season. In 74 games with the Avs, Grigorenko registered six goals and 21 assists for 27 total points.

Meh.

Next: How About Mike Richards? How About No.

3. Mike Richards

Thirty-one year old Mike Richards is another upcoming free agent center who I don’t think it would be worth it for the Buffalo Sabres to pursue this summer.

This past season, Richards appeared in just 39 games with the Washington Capitals, registering just two goals and three assists for five points. He was pointless in 12 playoff games.

The past few seasons have been a letdown for Richards, especially when you look back to his prime days, such as the 2008-09 season. That year, Richards put up 80 points in 79 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, including 30 goals and an NHL career-high 50 assists.

His production has been steadily declining over the years.

This past season, Richards had a  cap hit of $511,000 with the Capitals while earning a salary of $1 million.

Of course, he’s still being paid by the Los Angeles Kings – and will earn $1.57 million from the Kings in the 2017-18 season, no matter where he plays.

This is a hard pass for me when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres.

Next: Here A Staal, There A Staal...

4. Eric Staal

Eric Staal. What do I say about Eric Staal?

The 31-year-old has spent almost all of his NHL career up until this point with the Carolina Hurricanes. This past season, he put up 33 points (10-23) in 63 games with the Canes.

Then – it was off to the bright lights and big city of Manhattan to join the New York Rangers.

There, he put up six points (3-3) in 20 games.

The biggest piece of Staal, for me, is his contract.

This past season, he earned a whopping $9.5 million with a cap hit of $6.387 million. That’s big money, and at this point, I don’t see Staal being worth it.

Next: Gomez? More like No-mez.