The Buffalo Sabres have made several moves thus far this offseason. The summer is heating up and the roster is shaping out for the coolness of the fall.
They have re-signed several players, made trades and were active during the draft. One question though remains for the organization. What will occur with Peyton Krebs?
Peyton Krebs has been given a qualifying offer from the Buffalo Sabres
The qualifying offer means that the team can match any other offer sheets that the young center may receive from other teams. They could have signed him to a long-term offer.
It does show the team's priorities were focued on other free agents with big deals for both Zach Benson and Beck Malenstyn.
Krebs was a fourth-line center to open last season but ended up playing on the top line late in the campaign, leading to a career high in points (39). The last two years he came on as a viable asset, earning him that opportunity on the first line as injuries arose.
The center position was addressed in the draft with three straight picks in the middle of the draft by the Sabres (Ilya Morozov, Olivers Murnieks and Doman Szongoth). With Konsta Helenius also emerging, where will Krebs fit in as new talent will be paired with Tage Thompson in the years ahead?
He may be looking at other options currently and one that may move him back to the fourth line. Depth cannot be understated especially for team's looking to make a run. He should only be seen by teams who are looking for a playoff berth.
A benefit for the Sabres is that they are now one of those teams. Before this season, most decisions were made based on rebuilding and looking for ways to rebuid and get to the postseason. The Sabres could use a player of his stability for next season.
He could be a valued asset but will he want to have a reduced role? If he doesn't, the next few weeks could heat up before he decides to sign the offer sheet. He is still currently set to be a restricted free agent for the next two seasons.
If the Sabres are looking to make space if he re-signs, they could move him. But that means that another team would take on the restricted free agency of Krebs. He has two years to prove his worth to Western New York or another team to get a huge deal in two seasons.
The Sabres also sent a qualifying offer to recently acquired defenseman, Olen Zellweger, who arrived from the Anaheim Ducks. They are Buffalo's final two RFAs as free agency arrives.
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