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3 forwards the Buffalo Sabres may target in free agency

By Sion Fawkes

ELMONT, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Alex Chiasson #39 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on March 03, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ELMONT, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Alex Chiasson #39 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on March 03, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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While the Buffalo Sabres may theoretically have their top two lines set, they may still fill their lower lines at forward in free agency.

The Buffalo Sabres have potential holes to fill at forward, given the number of players slated to leave in free agency if general manager Kevyn Adams is unable to re-sign them. Therefore, look for the Sabres to sign some productive forwards that won’t totally break the bank this summer.

Below, you will find three unrestricted free agents (UFAs) that would make good fits for the 2022-23 season. They all come at slightly different prices, and from different spots in the NHL.

One player spent time with a division rival over the past three years. The second name on the list is a familiar one who should be a top priority to re-sign. And the third played last season in the Western Conference.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 14: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ( Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 14: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ( Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images) /

Buffalo Sabres free agency – Forward #1: Ilya Mikheyev

A formerly undrafted free agent, the Sabres could bring in someone like Mikheyev, who enjoyed his most productive season to date, despite having appeared in just 53 contests. While it’s possible the Toronto Maple Leafs could find a way to keep Mikheyev, Canoe says they need to “get creative” in doing so.

He will be worth over the $2.19 million he was paid in base salary this past season, given his 21-goal campaign (32 points). Mikheyev is great when on the rush, but Canoe also recognized his rare ability to take command on the penalty kill unit, on which he scored four short-handed goals.

He also shattered his career-best shooting percentage, converting an astounding 14.3 percent of his total shots on goal. The only real drawback to his game last season came in penalties, in which he saw 26 minutes in the box as opposed to just 10 minutes over the previous two seasons combined.

Overall, Mikheyev enjoyed a breakout year while playing for a team that may not be able to keep him. And not only that, signing him will strengthen the Sabres while simultaneously weakening a division rival.

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