Buffalo Sabres: Which pending free agents earned the right to stick around for 2024-25?

The Buffalo Sabres currently have 10 players on their active roster set to become free agents, either restricted or unrestricted, heading into the offseason. Quite a few have earned the right to stick around, as they have played their respective roles quite well while others either have done nothing to warrant an opportunity to return, or their age alone will entice the Blue and Gold to move in another direction. 

The players listed below do not include those who are currently playing in Rochester, so Tyson Jost and Riley Stillman will not appear, nor will Eric Comrie despite him getting the call-up, and we can assume they won’t be part of the organization next year. As for those playing in the City of Good Neighbors as of January 27th, let’s look at each player individually. 

Projecting the futures of the Buffalo Sabres pending free agents

1 - Victor Olofsson

Victor Olofsson is one of a few players on this list who may not make it past the trade deadline, but his part-time status this season has also shown he’s finished in Buffalo. Look for Olofsson to remain playing part-time even with the likelihood Jack Quinn misses extended time with an injury. 

2 - Casey Mittelstadt

Casey Mittelstadt is another piece who may gain traction at the trade deadline, but unless the Sabres get a monster offer, they neither will, nor should they move him. Instead, look for the Sabres to reach a rather lucrative bridge deal for the surging former first-round pick. 

3 - Zemgus Girgensons

Injuries have limited Zemgus Girgensons this season, but now that he’s turned 30, the writing may be on the wall for the former first-round pick. However, Girgensons has success with his physical play and at the faceoff dot, so those two factors could ultimately keep him around.