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

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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.

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.

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 13: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 13, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

3 – Sign a veteran defenseman

The Sabres defensive rotation has a few pieces that will remain in the Queen City for a long time. Besides Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson will also stick around.

But we saw this past season that the rotation needs a top four talent to pair with Power in 2023-24. Neither Ilya Lyubushkin nor Henri Jokiharju fit the mold, and a proven veteran will help take this team farther than they went this year.

Verdict: Kevyn Adams WILL sign a top-four caliber defenseman.

4 – Re-sign both Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons

We know Kevyn Adams wants to bring back both, but with an aging Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons’ limited skill-sets, would they even be worth it? Probably not, but of course, they do display remarkable leadership skills.

However, bringing them both back would also mean taking a potential spot from Matthew Savoie or Jiri Kulich, meaning there may only be room for one of them when the puck drops in October. While there would be value in bringing them back, the truth is, neither have helped the Blue and Gold get far during their time here, and the Sabres don’t need them both, regardless of what Adams claims.

Verdict: One will re-sign, the other will be either wearing uniform (Girgensons) or will retire (Okposo).

TAMPA, FL – APRIL 6: Ryan Johnson #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers stands on the blue line before a game against the Boston University Terriers during game one of the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Frozen Four Championship Semifinal at the Amaile Arena on April 6, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

5 – Sign Ryan Johnson

Ryan Johnson needs to sign, something I said a while back. He would be going into a system with a weak defensive rotation both at the NHL and AHL levels, and could find himself on one of the Buffalo Sabres pairings sooner than later, even if Adams ends up signing a veteran.

Sure, it’s Johnson’s decision, but at this point, he’s only shortchanging himself if he tests the free agent market. There is a good chance he could end up in a system with more competition than he will have in Buffalo, unless he decides to sign with a team that has a depleted prospect pool. Then again, it could be a top team with plenty of talent in the rotation at the NHL level.

But overall, the Sabres are on the cusp of making a playoff run, as they’ve shown this season, AND most of their better defensemen prospects are still playing junior hockey. He should eventually realize this.

Verdict: Ryan Johnson eventually signs, and will play in Buffalo at some point in 2023-24.

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Adams has some actions to take and decisions to make, and none of the above will be easy. How long will it take to get a deal done with Dahlin and Power? And will he opt to bring in a veteran to help the Sabres make their frist playoff appearance in 13 years? We will find out sooner than later.

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