3 Buffalo Sabres fighting to retain a roster spot
While we will see substantial roster turnover in the near-future, there are a few fringe Buffalo Sabres auditioning to retain a role with the team next season
The Buffalo Sabres are one of the NHL’s most trying franchises. So to hold a fringe roster spot on one of the league’s bottom-dwelling franchises, the following players are fighting for more than just relevance on the team. They’re also fighting to keep their NHL careers alive.
The players listed in today’s article are those who have either failed to impress since arriving in Buffalo, or they continually see themselves underutilized or even scratched from the lineup. However, they’re also young enough to turn around their NHL careers and play in this league long-term.
Which bottom-dwelling players will use the rest of the 2021-22 season as auditions to remain a Buffalo Sabre come October 2022 and likely keep their NHL career afloat? Keep reading to find out.
Anders Bjork
Following his trade with the Boston Bruins in April 2021, Bjork saw his ice time increase substantially from 12:18 to 17:02. During his first 15 games with the Sabres, he also saw his shooting percentage reach a career-high, logging six points in 15 games.
This season was a different story, and Bjork’s ice time dwindled to 12:18 in 51 games played. And while still young, Bjork’s $1.8 million base salary next season will nearly double the team’s cap hit from 2.35% to 4%.
He just isn’t producing enough for the Sabres to invest in him long-term when there are potentially better options coming up from Rochester. Before Sunday’s tilt against the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres made Bjork a healthy scratch, sitting him in favor of the returning Vinnie Hinostroza.
If the Sabres continue to scratch Bjork for Hinostroza and potential recalls, expect them to either cut ties or try to trade him elsewhere. But it’s going to be hard to convince another franchise to take on Bjork. Ideally, he gets a few more chances to showcase himself this season.
Mark Jankowski
Unlike Bjork, Jankowski signed on for just one season with the Sabres for $750,000 and began his career in the organization with the Rochester Americans. And while Jankowski has looked good in his 19 games with the Sabres, he’s still not a regular part of the lineup.
This season, Jankowski is threatening to set a new career-high in shooting percentage and when active, has logged an average ice time of 13:39, also a career-high. He’s also shown he can win face-offs, which may help him develop into an effective third or fourth-line center.
Right now, the Sabres seem to be committed to Cody Eakin, despite the latter’s struggles and larger contract. Logistically, Jankowski seems like the better option moving forward, but as it stands, the Sabres keep giving Eakin the nod.
Perhaps things will change. But if they don’t, Jankowski’s time in Buffalo could be null and void. The upside is this: Eakin’s contract expires following the season. So if the Sabres elect not to re-sign him, maybe they will insert Jankowski into the lower lines full-time?
Robert Hagg
Giving credit where credit is due, Hagg has at least solidified himself on the third-pairing, often with Mark Pysyk. He arrived in the Rasmus Ristolainen trade, and while Ristolainen’s game has remained even-keel or even improved, you can’t say the same for Hagg.
In 44 games, Hagg has just 85 hits and 83 blocks. While he logged just 79 two seasons ago in 49 games, his physicality showed with 136 hits. In 2018-19, Hagg played in all 82 regular season games for the first and only time in his career, logging 258 hits and 138 blocks.
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Hagg will be a free agent following this season. And at this point, there is no reason for the Sabres to bring him back to a defensive unit focusing on youth. Hagg is still one of the league’s younger players, but barring an impressive March and April, consider him finished in Buffalo. It will take a lot for the Sabres to even consider bringing him back.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)