Buffalo Sabres: 3 one-year rentals to help hit the cap floor
By Sion Fawkes
Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams’ biggest issue with the salary cap this season is to hit the cap floor. So why not go for one-year rentals?
Yesterday, I said that the Buffalo Sabres should trade forward Anders Bjork, agreeing with Austin of Die by the Blade‘s take. While Bjork won’t warrant much in return, he is also the odd man out on this roster. Especially if Kevyn Adams is looking to re-sign a few players who were part of the team last season.
The Sabres need to hit the cap floor, however, and trading Bjork for a high-end prospect or a late draft pick won’t help matters. They are due to owe Bjork $1.6 million next season before he becomes a restricted free agent heading into 2023-24.
To remedy the issue, Adams should look to re-sign the following three players at a slightly higher amount than he paid them last season. All three players were serviceable in the organization last season, even if they are only role players at the NHL level.
The goal is not to pay them long-term, but to bring each back for a seven-figure contract for just one season while the Buffalo Sabres continue to build their lower lines. A.K.A: One-year rentals. Let’s start with re-signing a fan favorite.
Buffalo Sabres: One-year rental #1: Vinnie Hinostroza
Hinostroza signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Sabres for $1.05 million. And he played well enough to warrant something along Bjork’s range for 2022-23. While the Sabres can justify signing him for between two and three seasons given his performance last season, he is a one-year rental in this exercise.
Ideally, Hinostroza becomes a rotational player on the fourth line by the second half of the season. This would symbolize Quinn and Peterka’s development should the two earn a spot on the main roster and develop accordingly.
Buffalo News said in March 2022 to expect something around the $1.5 million range for two seasons. But the Sabres, to hit the cap floor this season, can go even higher on just another one-year deal worth $1.6 million. If Hinostroza performs well again, lock him up for an even longer deal.