Buffalo Sabres free agents: Who will return for 2023-24?

After the Buffalo Sabres re-signed Kyle Okposo, they still have 15 pending restricted and unrestricted free agents for 2023. 

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and Company have more than a few decisions to make regarding the organization’s pending free agents in 2023. Even with Kyle Okposo returning, Buffalo still has 15 pending free agents left to make decisions on, including four who saw regular time with the Blue and Gold last season.

So who will stay with the organization and who will go elsewhere? Here is a quick rundown of each pending free agent, their role in the organization, and whether they will be back for 2023-24.

Buffalo Sabres pending free agents

Let’s start with Tyson Jost, the waiver-wire pickup who found a niche on the primary and later the secondary penalty kill unit. Jost finished with 22 points in 59 contests, good for 0.37 points per game. He was also good on the forecheck. As a restricted free agent, it’s easy to see the organization extending a qualifying offer.

The Buffalo Sabres needed to improve their defensive rotation, but Kale Clague wasn’t the answer. While he had only a minus-3, Clague also saw just an 88.6% on-ice save percentage when on the ice at 5-on-5, plus 88.2% at even strength. The Blue and Gold could re-sign him, but it shouldn’t be an immediate re-signing. Like Jost, he is also a restricted free agent.

Zemgus Girgensons is the mystery here. The Sabres already stressed they want him back, but he’s a physical defensive forward who could cash in big with a team that needs a physical presence on their bottom six. That being said, I can only see Girgensons returning if Buffalo offers him a lengthier contract on the eve of free agency.

Vinnie Hinostroza is the only player on this list who you will definitely see playing somewhere else next season. He only saw time in 26 games, and found himself in a not-so-ideal situation, bouncing from Buffalo to Rochester, then back to Buffalo.