The Buffalo Sabres are on the road this week on the West Coast, but it didn't stop the team from completing some housekeeping. One of those items was signing defenseman Gavin McCarthy to a three-year entry-level contract.
These are four things to know about the latest Sabres' contract signing.
Buffalo Sabres drafted him in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft
McCarthy was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Sabres after a productive season in the USHL. In 53 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, he had 13 points and a +/- of +7.
Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, the scouting report on The Hockey Writers projected him as a third round pick, which is exactly where the Sabres selected him. They had this projection for the defenseman:
"McCarthy has tons of NHL potential, the issue is that his potential ceiling isn’t all that high. I think there’s a really good chance he plays NHL games, likely more than a few, but I can’t see him being more than a second-pairing defender, and that’s a pretty rosy projection in itself. The way he bangs around in the defensive zone searching for hit reminds me a lot of Ben Chiarot, who has been a decent (and polarizing) two-way defender in the NHL for quite some time."
McCarthy was part of the Junior Sabres but recently played at Boston University
Prior to being selected by the Sabres in 2023 and playing in the USHL, McCarthy played for the Junior Sabres and lived in Western New York. After being selected, he would go on to play the last three seasons for Boston University and was the team's captain this past season.
He has been very productive during his time with Boston University, and this past season finished tied for third in points (21), second in +/- at +12, and second in blocks with 57. One of the notable parts of his time in Boston was that he improved every season from five points in 2023-24 to his career best 21.
McCarthy is expected to finish the season with the Rochester Americans
While Sabres fans won't see McCarthy this season, he is expected to finish the season at the AHL level with the Rochester Americans. The Amerks are fighting for a playoff spot, and it will be a great experience for McCarthy to get some minutes and help that team.
It will be interesting to see who McCarthy is paired with, but having him work alongside more of a veteran like Zac Jones could be the right fit. It would help him get up to speed and maybe make an impact for the team.
McCarthy's contract doesn't start until next season and would need to sign ATO with Rochester
It is important to note that the three-year entry-level contract McCarthy signed doesn't start until next season, according to Puckpedia. This is usually the case with players this time of year after their college season ends, but it requires one more step for the two sides before McCarthy can take the ice.
They would need to sign him to an Amateur Tryout Contract, which might already be done at this time but hasn't been officially announced. Once that is done, it would allow McCarthy to play the rest of the season in Rochester, including the playoffs.