Top 3 forwards the Buffalo Sabres can still add for 2023
Jack Quinn’s injury could prompt the Buffalo Sabres to sign a forward as a stopgap to provide depth if they choose not to dip into the prospects pool.
While there are several prospects the Buffalo Sabres could call up following Jack Quinn’s injury, they may also want to roll with someone with more NHL experience. In such a situation, the likes of Lukas Rousek, Jiri Kulich, Tyson Kozak, and Company would most likely return to Rochester for another season, while the Sabres lean on their mixture of youth and experience to try and force their way back to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
So if general manager Kevyn Adams decides to go with experience between now and the onset of camp, who are some of the better free agents still on the market? Here are three likely candidates who Adams can sign to become part of the team’s bottom six.
Three forwards the Buffalo Sabres could still sign for 2023
1 – Tomas Tatar
Tomas Tatar is one of the more popular names still out there, and the 32-year-old could immediately hop onto the third or the fourth line. Despite his smaller size of 5’10, 173 lbs, Tatar is a sound defensive forward who brings a respectable level of physicality.
He’s also a fair scorer, putting up 48 points and 20 goals in 82 contests. Defensively, teams have had a tough time scoring when he’s on the ice, with the New Jersey Devils having logged a 93.6% on-ice save percentage at even strength and 93.8% at 5-on-5.
2 – Danton Heinen
If another team beats the Sabres to Tatar, then Danton Heinen would be a serviceable consolation. Heinen is someone who can become a physical presence on the fourth line, and even serve as a sound extra skater when Jack Quinn eventually returns.
Heinen doesn’t do much in the points column, having scored just 22 in 65 contests last season. But he has the physicality and edge the Sabres can still use more of in 2023-24.
3 – Maxime Comtois
If the Sabres are looking for even more edginess, then Maxime Comtois would be a remarkable under-the-radar pickup. Still just 24, Comtois displays solid size at 6’2, 210 lbs, and he loves to hit, having logged 81 in just 64 games last season, and 111 in 52 contests in 2021-22.
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Another aspect of Comtois’ game is, despite playing for the lowly Anaheim Ducks, they still managed a 91.0% on-ice save percentage with him on the ice at 5-on-5, and a 90.7% at even strength. Put someone like Comtois onto the Blue and Gold, and you will likely see better returns.
*Players listed above were free agents as of 8:00 PM on July 16th, 2023
(Free agent information provided by Spotrac, and statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)