The Sabres have a lot of decisions to make this offseason if they want to be a playoff contender next season. There will definitely be some movement from the Sabres if they want to give themselves a chance to compete in a stacked Atlantic Division next year.
I recently wrote articles about a Sabres retool and another about possible players that won’t be on the team next year. With young talent and some possible trades coming to Buffalo, here are five players who may have played their last game with the Sabres.
1. Sam Lafferty
Lafferty struggled this year with the Sabres as he failed to reach 10 total points in his 60 games this season. Lafferty signed a two-year, four-million-dollar contract this offseason but struggled immensely on the fourth line.
With Vancouver, he accounted for 24 points and played a key part on their bottom-six lines. Buffalo hoped for the same out of Lafferty but didn't get the result they hoped for. With the Sabres calling up Isak Rosen, Tyson Kozak, and Noah Ostlund to end the year, Lafferty didn’t see the ice as much.
I think with the young talent they have fighting for roster spots next year, and the Sabres fighting the cap, Lafferty will have his contract bought out or traded to let the younger guys develop.
2. Beck Malenstyn
Malenstyn was also brought in to bolster the fourth line this year with Lafferty, and he struggled as well. I figured both these players would struggle to find roles for next year, but there is a strong possibility neither will be on the team.
Malenstyn had the best year of his career with the Capitals last season, scoring 21 points on the Caps' fourth line in 81 games. In 76 games with the Sabres, however, Malenstyn only totaled 10 points with a plus-minus of -16.
I think Malestyn needs a fresh start elsewhere to start the 2025-2026 season, as he could be a key contributor for a contender or a young team elsewhere. For now, I think the Sabres should move on as his time should be up in Buffalo.
3. James Reimer
Reimer is an interesting case as many didn’t even expect him to be on the Sabres this season. He was signed by the Sabres, and then acquired by the Ducks at the beginning of the season. Once management saw Devon Levi wasn’t ready, they brought back Reimer for the rest of the year.
Reimer impressed in net, as the 37-year-old went 10-8-2 in 22 games, with a 2.9 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage. Reimer was a major reason why the Sabres competed towards the end of the year, and kept them in playoff contention.
Although those games may not have been as important to some players, these games were looked at as a tryout for Reimer who is looking to stay in the league next year. I don’t see Reimer coming back as they give Devon Levi another shot in net next year.
Wherever Reimer ends up, he has shown he can be a key contributor to any team, and could even a help a contender moving forward.
4. Jack Quinn
Quinn has had a tough time in Buffalo since his Achilles injury last season. What seemed to be a breakout year for Quinn turned grim as he missed the remainder of the season. However, Quinn came back this year, and put up a solid 40-point campaign.
Where Quinn struggled was on the defensive end of the puck, and his attitude off the ice. Quinn was on the ice for the most goals against on the season, and finished with the worst plus-minus on the team at -18.
Quinn also shared his displeasure with his playing time and the coaching staff. Quinn was benched multiple times, and even missed a few team meetings. Quinn will find his footing defensively at some point, but his attitude needs to change, and quick.
If it wasn’t for the Sabres being up against the cap and having to sign key free agents, I would give Quinn another shot. In this case, I think it may be best for the Sabres to let Quinn get a fresh start elsewhere, and focus on other aspects of the team.
5. Mattias Sameulsson
Samuelsson proved me wrong this season as he put up an impressive campaign after missing 20 games due to injury. He put up a career high fourteen points, and a positive plus-minus for the third straight year.
However, his injury history leaves many wondering about what his future holds in Buffalo. Since his first full season, Samuelsson has missed 127 games, and just hit 60 games in a season for the first time in his career. It does’t help that Kevyn Adams signed him to a seven-year, 30 million dollar contract, after he played just 54 career games.
I think Samuelsson will be a solid player in the future, but if he can’t be an everyday player, then I can easily see the Sabres dumping his contract and trading him this offseason for good return..