The Sabres are set for an interesting offseason as they need to build a contender to compete in the Atlantic Division next year. The Sabres are also looking to end their 14-year playoff drought, but it won’t be easy, as fans already know.
The Sabres, right now, with pending free agents, will have about 21 million in cap space. This includes the extra seven million added to the salary cap this offseason. However, if the Sabres sign JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, and Ryan McLeod at their current market value, that 21 million is going to disappear in an instant.
The Sabres need to make some smart moves this offseason to better this team's future. That would start with signing these three players to contracts next season.
Connor Brown
Brown has put in valuable minutes for the Oilers this year and has been a big reason they are performing at such a high level. Every team that makes a deep playoff run has four talented lines, and Brown has been nothing short of talented this season.
The 10-year veteran accumulated 30 points this season while playing on the third and fourth lines for the Oilers. He also recorded his second-best plus-minus of his career as he finished with +9 on the season.
Brown brings playoff experience from his time with the Maple Leafs, Oilers, and Capitals, and would be a great addition on the third line for the Sabres. Brown makes one million per year, and I think if the Sabres offered him around 1.7 to two million, then the Sabres could add a good bottom-six forward.
Nate Schmidt
Nate Schmidt has been one of the most solid defensemen in the NHL over the last ten years. Since making his debut in 2013, Schmidt has been a solid second and third-line defenseman for any team he has played on.
He’s made the playoffs with the Capitals, Golden Knights, Canucks, Jets, and Panthers in his career as he chases his first stanley cup. This season, with Florida in 80 games, Schmidt posted 19 total points and a positive plus-minus for the 10th time in his career.
Schmidt could be a great piece next to Owen Power next season and help the Sabres improve defensively. Schmidt is currently on a veteran minimum deal, but I could see the Sabres offering him around 1.25 to 1.5 million next season to grab a veteran presence on the defensive side of the puck.
Mason Appleton
Appleton, just like Brown, has been a solid bottom-six forward in his career with the Jets. Appleton has spent the last seven years on the third and fourth lines for the Jets, and half a season with the Kraken.
Appleton had 22 points on the season and would bring a physical presence to the Sabres. Appleton could be a good fit on either the third or fourth line and could help the incoming rookies get settled in the league.
Appleton right now makes two million, and I could see Buffalo offering him right around the same. He will be a part of a top offense, just like how he is now for the Jets. He will also have the opportunity, like Ryan McLeod did this year to finally have that breakout season for the first time in his career.