Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is a big believer in compete level. It's why he's already re-signed Josh Doan to a long-term contract extension, and he's aiming to do the same with Zach Benson. They are two unequivocal dawgs.
Now that question is whether that singular trait will be enough for fourth-line winger Beck Malenstyn to receive a new contract from the Sabres. If not, he'll become an unrestricted free agent when the NHL market opens on July 1.
Malenstyn fills a niche role. He's not going to play a ton — he's averaged a shade under 11 minutes of ice time per game across two seasons in Buffalo — and his offensive impact is limited. He's recorded just 24 points (11 goals and 13 assists) in 157 games with the Blue and Gold.
Yet, anybody who watches the Sabres on a nightly basis will tell you the 28-year-old forward's impact goes well beyond the box score. He's a tireless forechecker, has high-end speed and emerged as a reliable penalty-killing weapon for head coach Lindy Ruff.
His potential departure from Western New York is all part of the club's tricky salary-cap situation.
Buffalo enters the summer with just $11.9 million in cap space (via PuckPedia) and that's based on a roster without a No. 7 defenseman, so the real figure is likely closer to $11 million.
Kekalainen must account for other internal free agents, led by UFA Alex Tuch along with RFAs like Benson and Peyton Krebs, and the front office will likely spend a sizable chunk of the offseason trying to land a marquee player via the trade market.
In short, it'll be impossible for the Sabres to keep everybody while also trying to bring in a top-six forward who may be the missing piece of the championship puzzle.
Malenstyn, despite his success as a depth contributor and fan-favorite status, is one of the players who might not fit in the short-term financial equation.
Buffalo already has five others players — Krebs, Sam Carrick, Jordan Greenway, Justin Danforth and Tyson Kozak — currently set to compete for fourth-line minutes in 2026-27. It'd love to move on from Greenway to clear out $4 million in cap space, but that'll be easier said than done.
So, as it stands, Malenstyn may be an odd man out as the Sabres restructure their roster.
Beck Malenstyn expressed interest in staying with the Buffalo Sabres despite UFA status
Malenstyn, who started his career with the Washington Capitals, will surely have a fair share of potential suitors if he ultimately hits the NHL free-agent market.
The 6-foot-3 Canadian winger said he'd love to stay in Buffalo during his season-ending press conference, though.
"I'm sure conversations between my agents and the team will continue to go." Malenstyn told reporters in May. "… It was an awesome group of people to be around, from staff to players. And then to be in the community and the arena with those fans was really special and something I would definitely enjoy to remain a part of."
But what would it cost the Sabres to keep him in the fold?
AFP Analytics projected the 2023 Calder Cup champion to receive a three-year, $7.91 million contract ($2.64 million) in free agency. That's a totally reasonable number, but the team's overabundance of options for the fourth line remains a hurdle.
Perhaps if the Sabres are able to dump Greenway — they'd likely have to pay a cap-rich organization a draft pick to take him — and they move another member of the fourth-line brigade (trade Krebs, perhaps?), then an avenue for Malenstyn to return will open up.
Of course, the question is whether making those type of deals is possible before July 1 because the 2016 fifth-round pick isn't going to sit around in free agency waiting to see whether Buffalo will have the cap space available to keep him around.
It's one of the many dominoes set to fall as Kekalainen tries to navigate this summer's financial restrictions while still keeping the Sabres in the contender category.
Malenstyn may find a new home by the time the dust settles in Buffalo for training camp.
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