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3 potential NHL buyout candidates the Sabres should keep an eye on

The Buffalo Sabres will be looking for some upgrades in the 2024 offseason, and sometimes buyout candidates are the way to roll.

By Todd Matthews

Sep 30, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Patrik Laine (29) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Patrik Laine (29) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports / Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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Two days after the Stanley Cup Final concludes, the NHL’s buyout period will commence, and with it comes potential sleepers for a team like the Buffalo Sabres to sign. Sure, sometimes players are bought out because they didn’t perform anywhere near expectations with their soon-to-be former teams, but that’s not always the case. 

Organizations looking to build a winner long-term could buy out a player because it would make more financial sense than to keep them on their roster for another few seasons. Knowing that not all players will be cast-offs, there will be at least a few hidden gems available after either the Edmonton Oilers or Florida Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup. 

Let’s look at three potential buyout candidates who could be great fits for the Sabres once the back half of June rolls around. 

Lars Eller could be the answer to winning defensive zone faceoffs

Lars Eller may be an older player, and he will be heading into his age-35 season, but someone needs to start winning faceoffs for the Sabres when they are short-handed and in the defensive zone. Eller could be someone who spends just one season in his next stop, but for the Blue and Gold, they may need a stopgap in the bottom-six. 

Eller may have just a 50.2 career faceoff win percentage, but that number also sits at 53.0 over the past two seasons, or 166 games - he played in 84 regular season contests in 2022-23 for the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche. Eller is also a fair points producer for someone who would be on the lower lines in Buffalo should a buyout and subsequent signing occur. 

He finished this past season with 31 points and 15 goals in 82 contests and with 15:58 of average total ice time. If he’s asked to contribute just 12 or 13 minutes instead in a place like Buffalo, there shouldn’t be too much of a drop-off in overall productivity, especially if the Sabres rediscover what made them such a high-scoring team during the 2022-23 season before dropping off last year.

His advanced statistics were also encouraging, as Eller posted a 50.7 Corsi For Percentage despite a 26.3 offensive zone starting percentage. He also logged an encouraging 91.9 percent on-ice save percentage in the defensive zone, and he was on the ice for two more goals than expected at even strength. 

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