Buffalo Sabres: Which pending free agents earned the right to stick around for 2024-25?
The Buffalo Sabres have quite a few pending free agents for the 2024-25 season, so which members of the Blue and Gold have already done enough to stick around?
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.
4 - Kyle Okposo
Kyle Okposo will be 36 and despite his leadership skills and decent productivity for a fourth-liner, the Sabres will likely go in another direction. They need to start making room for prospects, and Okposo is well past his prime, plus he doesn’t bring the same edge as Girgensons.
5 - Eric Robinson
Eric Robinson is one reason the Buffalo Sabres can afford to part ways with Kyle Okposo, as he’s averaging roughly 0.375 points per game, and he’s been a much more physical player needed for the fourth line. This isn’t to say he’s earned the right to stay just yet, but it's trending in that direction for the former Columbus Blue Jacket.
6 - Peyton Krebs
Peyton Krebs hasn’t produced offensively, but the Sabres also haven’t given him much of a chance. However, he’s been a solid fit on the fourth line, so it makes no sense to neglect extending a qualifying offer to the pending restricted free agent.
7 - Henri Jokiharju
Henri Jokiharju has had his moments, but it’s tough to say he’s done enough to earn a qualifying offer. This is a situation where the Sabres will be better off letting the 24-year-old walk and continue his career elsewhere.
8 - Jacob Bryson
Unless Jacob Bryson somehow sticks around the big club when Mattias Samuelsson and Erik Johnson are healthy enough to return and plays like an All-Star when given the chance, we all know the answer to this question. There is no way Bryson will be here when the puck drops in 2024-25, and he will likely remain a fringe NHL talent in his next stop.
9 - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the one player on this list next to Mittelstadt who the Buffalo Sabres cannot allow to walk. They will extend a qualifying offer, and Luukkonen will sign a rather lucrative bridge deal that is a far cry from his current AAV of $837,500.
10 - Erik Johnson
Erik Johnson is yet another player on this list who may not be here through the trade deadline, but if the Sabres don’t move him, he’s playing elsewhere in 2024-25. This will free up Ryan Johnson to be a full-time player in 2024-25, and will also allow the Sabres to bring in a younger, yet established talent.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)