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Grading the Buffalo Sabres 2022 offseason (so far)

By Sion Fawkes

Dec 16, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) and center John Hayden (15) celebrate their victory against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) and center John Hayden (15) celebrate their victory against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
Mar 31, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) goes to make a save against Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Grading Free Agency

As projected, Adams re-signed many of the Buffalo Sabres own free agents that included RFA’s Victor Olofsson and Jacob Bryson. Olofsson broke out as a scorer between mid-February and late-April, while Bryson provides a serviceable hand on the third defensive pairing.

Lawrence Pilut also made his return to the organization after he spent two years in Russia. Ditto for Brett Murray and Sean Malone, among other notable AHL talent. Adams also held on to the reliable Vinnie Hinostroza and he brought back goaltender Craig Anderson, most likely to play a backup/mentor role.

Adams did go out and sign netminder Eric Comrie from the Winnipeg Jets. Comrie does not have a lot of NHL experience, but his 0.920 save percentage and 2.58 GAA is promising.

Even more promising is the fact Adams signed an experienced defenseman in Ilya Lyubushkin. Lyubushkin, known for his hard-hitting, has nine seasons of professional hockey experience, He will serve as an outstanding mentor for one of the league’s youngest defensive rotations that includes former first overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.

Adams also signed high-end AHL prospects in Jeremy Davies, Kale Clague, and Chase Priskie. While I don’t expect any of the above to appear in the blue and gold, they do make outstanding AHL insurance this season just in case injuries affect the team’s defensemen.

Grade: A: Adams gets an A in the free agency category because he entered free agency to fill current roster holes, which gives his prospects time to develop and eventually fill them. Not that Lyubushkin and Comrie would be stopgaps, but the Sabres have plenty of defensemen and goaltenders in the system to take over in time.

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