We have done quite a few free agents articles at Sabre Noise, but this one is going to highlight the three most likely moves the Sabres will make this offseason. This stems from salary cap space, depth at different positions, and overall talent.
Brock Boeser
We talked about Boeser just a few weeks ago, but now more articles are pouring in about how he would be a perfect fit for the Sabres. Boeser is coming off a down year, scoring 25 goals and adding 25 assists. He has shown he can be a top-level goal scorer in his career, and in a top 10 offense like the Sabres, he would thrive.
Boeser excels on the power play and in 5v5 situations; he had Quinn Hughes to get him the puck in Vancouver, and the Sabres have just the player for Boeser. Rasmus Dahlin will be able to set up Boeser for scoring situations.
This would add scoring depth to the Sabres, as Boeser played primarily right wing this year, a spot currently taken by Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the top two lines. Both Thompson and Tuch can play center, which would allow Boeser to play with Thompson on the first line.
For around 7-7.5 million per year is what will get Boeser to Buffalo, and I think the Sabres would be dumb not to make a move on him.
Jake Allen
The Sabres' goaltending ranked 29th in goals against average and 30th in save percentage. Bringing in a strong vet like Allen takes the pressure off of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Sabres have UPL under contract, and the expectation is that he will be the primary goaltender. He was 24-24-5 this past season with a 3.20 goals against average and a .887 save percentage.
Allen has been a primary goalie recently, being the main man in Montreal before moving to New Jersey. He has shown he is a solid backup who can start games. Last season, he had a 2.66 goals against average and a .908 save percentage, which would be a major upgrade for the Sabres.
For right around three million per year, the Sabres can lock down Allen, as he can play more games to give UPL more rest. UPL, in my opinion, was burnt out last year after playing so many games in a row once Devon Levi was sent down and James Reimer was re-acquired.
Allen is the piece the Sabres could need to improve their goaltending and find their way into the playoffs.
Alexander Romanov
The last piece the Sabres could look into would be Alexander Romanov, who spent last season with the New York Islanders. Romanov was an impressive piece for the Islanders over the last few years as he has played two full seasons from 2022-24, and even with an injury this past season, he still played 64 games.
Romanov has averaged around 20 points per season, as he has been a solid defensive defenceman for the Islanders. The stat that pops out most to me is his plus-minus, as he has a +41 plus-minus in three seasons with New York.
Romanov is also the physical presence the Sabres need, as he had 150+ blocks and hits this past season. With Bowen Byram most likely gone this season, the Sabres will need a replacement on defence. For around 3.8 to 4 million, the Sabres could get Romanov on a multi-year deal.
They paid Henri Jokiharju around the same last year, but in this case, Romanov has way more potential and would bring more to the Sabres going forward.