Buffalo Sabres: One big-name free agent to pursue, one to stay away from

The Buffalo Sabres have money to spend in free agency, and if they decide to sign a big-name free agent, chances are it will be goaltender of defense.

Chances are, the Buffalo Sabres will not go after a big-name free agent, but will instead use a cost-effective approach. However, it doesn’t mean they won’t at least pursue a big name free agent, and if the price is right, they could most definitely sign them.

Clearly, every fan likes to at least speculate their favorite team will sign a big name. But there are also supposed prized free agents with more bust potential than others. So today, we are going to outline one overrated big name free agent general manager Kevyn Adams should steer clear from and one that makes sense to go after.

Now, I’m going to be upfront: I don’t believe either of the free agents listed in this article will end up in Buffalo since it appears Adams is going the conservative route in free agency. However, as I have stated many times, smokescreens are all too real, so it wouldn’t entirely surprise me if one of these two ended up in the Queen City.

But before we dive into who these players are, let’s dive into team needs. Starting with perhaps the most pressing.

Positions the Buffalo Sabres will pursue in free agency

Defenseman

Many fans and pundits will list goaltender as the top pressing need. But I believe it’s more important to find a mentor for Owen Power who can bring out the best and minimize growing pains for the rookie.

Better yet, a defenseman who can mentor not just Power, but lead a young defensive rotation would be ideal. And best yet, there are a few big names, mid-tier names, and bargain names who can fit that void.

Goaltender

This is the Captain Obvious need. And while I am happy to see Craig Anderson return for one more round, he is nowhere near enough. The rumor mill has lately rumbled about Adams re-signing Dustin Tokarski, something else I support, but as an AHL insurance policy.

My expectation is that, although rumor mills linked the Sabres to Ville Husso, that it is more likely they will sign someone in the mold of Braden Holtby. But since today’s article is about big-name free agents, there is another name who has also been thrown around.

Bottom Six Forward

Adams stressed the Sabres may be in the market for both a top and bottom six forward, but I digress. The Sabres look as though they have their top six figured out, at least in the short term and especially if winger Victor Olofsson is indeed close to re-signing.

But there is turbulence at the bottom six, with players the Sabres may or may not re-sign as well as a bit of age in players like Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see Adams sign a bottom six forward.