Sabre Noise
Fansided

5 moves the Buffalo Sabres will (and won’t) make in 2023 offseason

By Sion Fawkes

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 11: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 11, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 11: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 11, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

There are plenty of rumors surrounding the Buffalo Sabres this offseason. Here are five that general manager Kevyn Adams will, or won’t, make. 

The Buffalo Sabres have some rough, tough decisions to make this offseason. And following general manager Kevyn Adams’ and head coach Don Granato’s respective press conferences, we’re at least clued in as to what may happen, but as I’ve said more than a few times, those could be nothing more than mere words.

Overall, his conference revealed what could happen in the near future regarding the likes of extending Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, plus the respective statuses of Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons, among others. There are a few other moves that we anticipate Adams making this offseason, such as potentially signing a veteran goaltender or defenseman, and talking Ryan Johnson into inking an entry-level contract.

So what will happen in the coming months regarding each issue? Keep reading to find out.

Buffalo Sabres
Apr 8, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (25) and Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jesse Puljujarvi (13) go after a loose puck during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

5 moves Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams might make

1 – Extending Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power

Per NHL.com, Rasmus Dahlin AND Owen Power will become eligible to sign new contracts come July 1st. Dahlin transformed from being a solid defenseman into a Norris Trophy candidate this season while Power, despite looking like a rookie at times, saw the ice far more often than the average rook. Expect stringent talks to begin this summer for both players.

 Verdict: Sabres will extend at least one, most likely Dahlin, but both inevitably stay long-term.

2 – Bring in a veteran goaltender

Next to Devon Levi, the Buffalo Sabres had no consistency in the net. While Levi looks like the starter, there is always a chance Kevyn Adams shakes up the goaltender room, perhaps adding a more seasoned veteran while parting ways with either Eric Comrie, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, or both.

However, Luukkonen is young, and he grew up in the system, while Comrie performed well to close out the season. Luukkonen has also shown flashes, and Comrie proved in 2021-22 he can be a great backup if he knows he won’t be counted on to start any more than a handful of games.

Verdict: Sabres will not bring in a veteran goaltender. 

Home/Sabres News