Since Jarmo Kekalainen took over as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres, he has made it a point to try and extend his younger talent to long-term deals. In January, he was able to do that with Josh Doan and this offseason it was Zach Benson and Olen Zellweger.
Now that the offseason has slowed down with the NHL Draft and the start of free agency behind the Sabres, it might be time for Kekalainen to take a look at some other players who are entering the final year of their contract. These are players that the Sabres could begin discussions on contract extensions and ensure they remain in Buffalo past this season.
Jack Quinn
Jack Quinn is a player who has been discussed a lot this offseason, but it has mostly been around trade rumors. He is coming off a career season with 20 goals and could be a big part of a trade package that the Sabres might offer, for example, as part of a Connor Hellebuyck trade.
On the last 32 Thoughts episode, Elliotte Friedman mentioned it was notable how much Jarmo Kekalainen talked about Quinn. This might have just been a way for him to drum up trade value, but it could also be an indication that he believes Quinn can be a key part of this team moving forward.
If Quinn is still part of the Sabres by the time training camp starts, it would make sense for the two sides to begin discussing a potential extension.
Noah Ostlund
Noah Ostlund got his first extended run in the NHL last season and finished with 27 points in 60 games. He was limited to only three games in the playoffs due to injuries, and the Sabres really missed him on the ice, especially in the series against the Canadiens.
Ostlund is entering the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent after the season. The Sabres don't necessarily need to lock him up now to a long-term deal but it feels like his contract demands will only go up if he can build on the season he had last year.
Colten Ellis
As it stands right now, Colten Ellis is on track to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. However, if he plays 13 or more games for the Sabres, then he will be a restricted free agent and could make it easier for the Sabres to retain him.
However, it might not even need to get to that point if they can work out an extension over roughly the next year. The Sabres have made it clear they value Ellis, and he probably is part of their future after trading Devon Levi.
Unless there is a trade for Hellebuyck, the Sabres look set to go into next season with three goalies and have Ellis take over for Lyon as the backup after next season.
Louis Crevier
The Buffalo Sabres just added Louis Crevier this summer as part of the Bowen Byram trade. He is a big defenseman who made some improvements last season with the Blackhawks and looks like a great option for their third pair this season.
The Sabres may be patient in contract negotiations with Crevier to see how he fits on this blueline, and he is set to only be a restricted free agent next offseason. However, if he gets off a strong start with the Sabres, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get a new contract in January or February, similar to Doan.
Conor Timmins
Right now, the Sabres have six players who are set to be unrestricted free agents, but among that group, Conor Timmins would be the most likely to discuss a contract extension. The other players set to be free agents are older and at this point are looking at one-year contracts in their careers, while Timmins will be 28 this season.
In his first season with the Sabres, Timmins missed about half the season due to injury and finished with 39 regular-season games but returned in time for the playoffs. When he was available, Timmins contributed to the third pair but was also a key part of the Sabres' penalty kill.
The Sabres may wait until the season to see how Timmins plays early on to determine whether to discuss a new contract, but it is likely something on their radar.
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