Buffalo Sabres: Why re-signing Sean Malone is a good move
The Buffalo Sabres organization made a good move this week when they re-signed forward and West Seneca native, Sean Malone.
While Buffalo Sabres prospect Sean Malone will probably never play a key role on the team’s primary roster, it doesn’t matter. Not only does it not matter, it shouldn’t matter. Malone turned 27 in April, which makes him an older prospect and a phenomenal mentor for the incoming Isak Rosen, Flip Cederqvist, and Aleksandr Kisakov.
Plus, Malone is a talented asset at the AHL level, where despite battling injuries, he still managed 37 points (20 goals) in 39 contests for Rochester last season. Malone, a Harvard alum, has been a staple in the AHL since the 2017-18 season. And despite playing in just 39 games in 2021-22, he set a new personal best for points, goals, power play goals (8), and game-winning goals (4).
The Buffalo Sabres were wise to re-sign Sean Malone
He also knew how to produce in the Calder Cup Playoffs, logging seven points (two goals) in 10 games. Malone brings 231 games of AHL experience to the table, and he has been through career ups and downs throughout his stints in both the Sabres and Nashville Predators systems.
Having signed with the Sabres organization on a one-year, $750,000 contract, Malone will use his experience to help incoming talent for at least this upcoming season. Last year, he would play center alongside then-AHL rookies J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn, helping the dynamic duo win AHL All-Rookie Team honors – with the latter taking the Red Garrett Memorial Award for Rookie of the Year.
Look for Malone to serve a similar role this season, but this time with Rosen and Kisakov eventually flanking him once they acclimate themselves to the AHL. And we also can’t forget about the big, powerful Cederqvist, who scored 32 points (14 goals) in 49 games at Djurgårdens IF in the SHL.
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Despite Cederqvist’s dominance, Malone will also help the Swede transition from the European leagues to North America. Overall, Malone’s presence should help kickstart the growth of all three of Rochester’s hottest incoming rookies.
(Statistics provided by Hockey DB)