Buffalo Sabres: Which low-tier defenseman sticks around?

Will Butcher

The Sabres want to get younger, so Butcher has the advantage from an age standpoint, having turned 27 just two months ago. Unlike Miller, Butcher is not effective on offense, logging just five points in 32 games.

However, Butcher showed two-way tendencies earlier in his career. As a rookie with the New Jersey Devils, he logged 44 points in 81 games. He followed that up with 30 points in 78 games the next season. Since then, he has tailed off.

Butcher has never been a physical defensive player, recording 268 career blocks and 106 career hits in 270 games. Looking at all of the above, it’s easy to see why the Sabres would discard and forget about Butcher.

However, Butcher is an outstanding puck handler, committing just eight giveaways this season. He is also one of the most disciplined defensemen in the NHL, with 34 career penalty minutes.

Butcher provides value on the lower pairings. Especially when the Sabres want a player who can get rid of the puck early and almost always find an open teammate. Butcher’s game isn’t flashy. But it provides tremendous value for a young hockey team.