3 forwards the Sabres must stay away from in NHL free agency

The Buffalo Sabres will bring in a forward in NHL free agency, so without a doubt, you will see a new face or two. But they can’t just bring in any forward, as some will prove to be good fits while others look more like potential busts. 

There are three out there who general manager Kevyn Adams must keep away from no matter what. This doesn’t mean they’re bad hockey players, and you can make a compelling argument toward the contrary, but a variable or two wouldn’t make them a great fit in the City of Good Neighbors. 

So, who must Adams avoid when free agency rolls around, and what makes them less-than-ideal for the Blue and Gold?

Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights

Jonathan Marchessault has been one of the NHL’s household names since the 2017 Expansion Draft, and if by any chance he tested the free agent market, he would be in high demand. And rightfully so, as Marchessault gave us quite the encore performance with 42 goals scored following his Conn Smythe win. 

When you look at the rest of his numbers - 69 points, top-six minutes, 107 hits, and 47 takeaways, you may be wondering why Marchessault is on this list. One reason is the uncertainty: Before landing in Vegas, Marchessault was a relative unknown in the league, and despite a 30-goal, 51-point season with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17, it was the only good season he enjoyed, and that was his third different franchise. 

Sure, he proved to be a great hockey player from 2017-onward, but for someone entering their age-34 season and potentially playing elsewhere following a stellar run with the Vegas Golden Knights, it’s fair to ask whether Marchessault would produce in the same way. 

He was one of the faces of the Golden Knights, and he probably still will be if they re-sign him, and that’s the likeliest scenario. This is also someone who is so attached to playing in Vegas, going somewhere else and being that same player is a tall task. 

Tyler Johnson, Chicago Blackhawks

Tyler Johnson will enter his age-34 season next year, and there is a good chance he will look to join a pending contender, as he spent the last three campaigns playing for a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team. Johnson is one of those players whose best years are behind him, and while he wouldn’t cost much to bring in, someone like him would have been a smart signing for Kevyn Adams about two years ago or even last year had he been on the market. 

In 2022 and 2023, signing potential stopgaps and one-year free agents with some age was a good idea, but the entire point was to fill the position for a year or two and move on. This is the kind of free agent Johnson will turn into, and he would serve either the Blackhawks better by sticking around or playing on a rebuilding team that needs older players to fill a roster spot. 

Johnson won’t help any team win these days, unlike during his nine-year stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning. It would also be hard to decide where to put the 33-year-old, as he’s put up pedestrian numbers since 2019-20, and Johnson also doesn’t look like he would bring much value to the lower lines.