The Sabres are just about finished with their 2024-2025 campaign, and an interesting slew of players have suited up for the blue and gold this season. The Sabres only have about two million left in cap space, without the added seven million dollars the league is adding this offseason.
The Sabres need to re-sign a handful of players this offseason, with limited money at their disposal. These are three players that I believe the Sabres will cut ties with and let walk come free agency.
1. Bowen Byram
This one hurts as I do believe that Byram can be a future franchise defenseman for many teams. However, with his expected payday, I just don’t think that the Sabres can afford it.
Byram has seven goals and 28 assists on the season for a total of 35 points, and a plus-minus of +11. It’s been by far the best season of his career, and the Sabres got the better end of the Casey Mittelstadt deal.
The Sabres already have five defensemen signed for next season, and a lot of money has already been invested in their defense. Dahlin, Power, and Samuelsson are signed to long-term deals, and Clifton and Bryson are also signed through next year. Not including that the Sabres have to re-sign Jacob Bernard-Docker as well, which will cost them around two million as well.
It seems likely the Sabres will pass on Byram as they stay below the salary cap. I think they have enough talent defensively going into next season that they can focus on other parts of the team.
2. Jack Quinn
Jack Quinn has had a rough couple of years with the Sabres as an injury forced him out last year, and this year he hasn’t been able to find a rhythm and has had discipline issues. In his last four games though, he has eight points, with a plus-minus of four.
I think this is increasing his value heading into free agency as it seems the Sabres will move on from Quinn. With top prospects sitting in the minors like Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund, there is no reason for the Sabres to deal with Quinn any longer.
I think Quinn getting a fresh start elsewhere will improve his career moving forward, as it doesn’t seem he is pleased with his current situation.
3. James Reimer
This one is kind of an obvious one as Reimer was acquired at the beginning of the year by the Sabres as Devon Levi was struggling on the main roster. Reimer hasn’t played much throughout the year up until the last ten games as they gave UPL a break in net.
Reimer just turned 37, but he was a rental as Levi will be back up on the main roster next year. It seems like Reimer ending the season as a starter is more so him playing for a contract for next season.
In his defense, he has done well since filling in for UPL, he is 6-6-2 in 16 total games this season, with a .900 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average. He has also won his last four games, and has the Sabres streaking.
Reimer has been a great fill-in this season, but I don’t see him coming back as they will bring up a younger Levi in hopes of being contenders next season.