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Buffalo Sabres: 3 forwards Arttu Ruotsalainen can supplant

By Sion Fawkes

May 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 23: Anders Bjork #96 of the Buffalo Sabres in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on October 23, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Sabres 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Forward #2: Anders Bjork

Halfway through the season, Rick Jeanneret mentioned Bjork’s name a couple of times, and I said to myself, “Who?”  That pretty much sums up and his value to the Sabres organization. Bjork is nothing more than an average fourth-liner that appeared in 58 games last season, scoring eight times.

And while guys like John Hayden also scored less, the latter at least brought energy and a physical presence to the Sabres. Bjork brought none of that, tallying just 11 hits and 16 blocks. His 12:02 average ice time was his lowest since 2018-19, when he averaged 11:48.

Next season, the Sabres are slated to owe Bjork $1.8 million in base salary, a bit much for a part-time player. They could probably retain Ruotsalainen for just over $1 million and trade Bjork for a few prospects to a team that could use a stopgap fourth liner. Something it appears the Buffalo Sabres needed him for over the past year-and-a-half.

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