One dream Buffalo Sabres free agent signing by position
While the Stanley Cup playoffs are going on, the Buffalo Sabres are looking ahead to the offseason as they try to break their 13 year playoff drought. There is no denying that Buffalo has talent, but they still cannot get over the hump and make the playoffs. In regards to general manager Kevyn Adams, this offseason could make-or-break the GM and he knows it.
Adams hired Lindy Ruff to be the next head coach once again. Now it's time to improve the roster itself. Looking ahead to July and free agency, it is a talented class. In this article, I'm going to give five players who Buffalo should sign, but it's going to be my "dream signings".
What I mean is there will be four players; one center, left wing, right wing and defenseman, who I want the Sabres to sign but don't expect those players to actually sign with Buffalo.
Center: Steven Stamkos
For my dream center, it's Steven Stamkos. It's not the first time Stamkos was an unrestricted free agent. Back in 2011, he was the top target along with Brad Richards. Richards ended up with the New York Rangers while Stamkos went back to Tampa Bay. Sabres fans wanted Stamkos back in 2011 and honestly, who could blame them?
Even at age 34, Stamkos is still a solid player. This season, he scored 40 goals and registered 41 assists in 79 games played. In his career against the Sabres, he scored 23 goals and recorded 25 assists in 52 games played against Buffalo.
I don't think it will actually happen, but it would be awesome if the Sabres signed Steven. Adams did say he wants to find a top six scorer during the offseason and there are plenty of those who are set to be unrestricted free agents.
Left wing: Jake DeBrusk
Jake DeBrusk is the dream left wing I would love to have on the Sabres. This year with the Boston Bruins, Jake played in 80 games in which he scored 19 goals and registered 21 assists. Personally, I have been a fan of DeBrusk. The way he plays the game and what he brings to a team is the kind of player I would love to have on Buffalo.
DeBrusk is a key top six player on the Bruins and if the Sabres somehow end up signing him, fans should be happy. In the 2022/2023 campaign, he had his best season. He scored 27 goals and got 23 assists in 64 games played. Buffalo needs help with their depth and Jake would be the perfect pickup.
He is a hardworking player and can help the Sabres. With the current talent, DeBrusk would be a very good pickup for Buffalo.
Right wing: Tyler Toffoli
As a grizzled veteran, Tyler Toffoli is no stranger in the National Hockey League. After starting with the New Jersey Devils, he got traded to the Winnipeg Jets to help them out in the playoffs. He scored 33 goals, recorded 22 assists in 79 games played combine with New Jersey and Winnipeg. It was the first time Toffoli reached the 30 goals plateau in his career.
Until 2022/2023, it was the first time he scored at least 30 goals since the 2015/2016 season when he was a member of the Los Angeles Kings. He's 32 years old and would be a perfect asset to have on the Sabres. Toffoli had an AAV of $4,250,000 so Buffalo could probably get him at a decent price.
Defenseman: Brandon Montour
Old friend Brandon Montour is my final free agent signing. Sabres fans are no stranger to Montour as he was in Buffalo for a couple of seasons. Ever since leaving the Sabres, Montour has been a staple for the Florida Panthers. After missing most of this season with an injury, Brandon had a career year last season.
In the 80 games he played, he scored 16 goals and registered 57 assists with the Panthers. To no one's surprise, he thrived with the Panthers after being moved. It's probably a longshot, but this would be a home run signingfor Kevyn Adams if he were to bring back Brandon. The Sabres need help on the blueline and Montour would help the team a lot on defense.
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