3 pending free agents the Sabres must bring back in 2024-25

The Buffalo Sabres are better off looking toward the 2024-25 season and taking notes on which players are worth keeping around.

Mar 2, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA;  Buffalo Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons (28) celebrates his
Mar 2, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons (28) celebrates his | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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Henri Jokiharju still holds value as a seventh defenseman

Hey, someone needs to be the seventh defenseman, and preferably, it would be a skater who knows the system well. While I’ve entertained the prospect of Ilya Lyubushkin returning to the team in the role, Jokiharju, who has more experience in the system, would naturally make for a much better fit. 

He hasn’t been outstanding, and you can even argue that several players like Ryan Johnson, Bowen Byram, Connor Clifton, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power have either passed him up or are about to overtake him. But that shouldn’t mean Jokiharju has no value, as he’s gotten far more physical this season with 83 hits and 100 blocks while averaging less average total ice time than he’s seen over the past three seasons. 

Further, Jokiharju is good insurance for the penalty kill, and his presence at 5-on-5 has been rather enticing for the Sabres - 54 on-ice goals scored compared to 40 against in 68 games played through April 4th. It’s also worth noting that if Jokiharju is on the ice for one more on-ice goal, it will give him a new career high. 

Jokiharju has proven that he isn’t suited to be a full-time player, but as the seventh blueliner, he only needs to be ready for a game or two per week, and that should bring out the best in him. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference as of April 4th)

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