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Buffalo Sabres: Why re-signing John Hayden would make sense

By Sion Fawkes

Feb 13, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;Buffalo Sabres center John Hayden (15) plays the puck behind Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (not pictured) net during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;Buffalo Sabres center John Hayden (15) plays the puck behind Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (not pictured) net during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres need to add grit to their roster this offseason. But they already have a dynamic grinder in John Hayden. 

The Buffalo Sabres have one player they can bring back at a bargain price in journeyman John Hayden. And although Hayden found himself as a healthy scratch multiple times in 2021-22, you can’t say enough about his grit-and-grind mentality. And it makes him an ideal fourth-liner.

Hayden won’t score much or even create scoring opportunities, evidenced by his four-point outing in 55 games this past season. He also won’t give you over 11 minutes of on-ice time. But he doesn’t need to.

The Sabres only need a quick-hit effort from the forward to help create possession opportunities for one of their top two scoring lines, and nothing else. And really, it’s all you need from your fourth-liners, the NHL equivalent of an NFL special teams ace.

Re-signing John Hayden provides immense value to the Buffalo Sabres lower lines

Hayden is one of the NHL’s most physical forwards. In 597 minutes of total ice time across 55 games, the grinder logged 104 hits. And despite seeing more than his fair share of healthy scratches, the Sabres understood Hayden’s value, as his total ice time and games played hit a career high this season.

If Hayden returns to the Sabres, they will once again snag him at a cheap price. And you can expect him to carve out a similar role next season. One where he will appear in games on a parttime basis. And yes, expect him to once again use his 6’3, 225lb physique as a human sledgehammer.

Further, the Sabres could pair Hayden up with a line mate who can specialize in winning face-offs, and another whose specialty lies in puck possession. And if this becomes the case, expect the Sabres to boast a solid energy line coming into the 2022-23 season.

light. Related Story. Re-signing Craig Anderson makes sense

We will wait and see if general manager Kevyn Adams decides to re-sign Hayden. If he does, then the Sabres just added an underrated yet valuable piece to one of the NHL’s fastest-rising rosters.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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