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Will the Buffalo Sabres acquire a forward in 2023 offseason?

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 20, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) stretches during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs before game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) stretches during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs before game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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On paper, the Buffalo Sabres look like they are set at forward. But that doesn’t mean general manager Kevyn Adams won’t go looking for one.

In his latest mailbag piece, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News gave us an interesting take on who he would try to acquire this offseason. Of course, he outlined a trade package for Brett Pesce, He also said he would trade defenseman Jacob Bryson, something I wholeheartedly agree with, and I’m sure most fans feel the same.

But he also mentioned he’d try to acquire the rights to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton. Colton, a restricted free agent, could cost the Blue and Gold a second round pick to obtain, per Lysowski. Colton’s latest contract sat at an AAV of $1.125 million, and while that number will undoubtedly raise, it would still fit well within the Sabres budget, thanks to their projected $16.96 million in cap space (rounded up).

Ross Colton would serve the Buffalo Sabres well

While there are some players in the prospects pool who the Sabres could call up, a player like Colton would fit into their plans. He will be 27 when the season begins, and he brings yet another layer of physical play the Blue and Gold still need, shown in his 341 hits over the previous two seasons.

What’s more, is that Colton can win faceoffs, having posted a 56.1% faceoff win percentage (106-83) this past season. This is an improvement in the category from 2021-22, when he won 303 faceoffs while losing 278, garnering a FOW% of 52.2%.

His on-ice save percentage is another number that jumps out at me. At even strength and 5-on-5, Colton’s numbers have yet to dip below 91% in any of the previous three seasons. So overall, if the Buffalo Sabres can flip a pick to their division rival to acquire Colton, they need to.

Sabres: Top 3 players Kevyn Adams must move in 2023. light. Related Story

This is a good hockey player who will more than help the Blue and Gold. And with just 190 games of NHL experience, Colton also has far more tread on his tires than the Sabres former first round pick.

Source: Sabres mailbag: How much will it cost to sign Owen Power to a long-term contract? by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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