Beck Malenstyn was never meant to be a points producer, but I was expecting he’d put up more than 10 this season. Overall, he finished the 2024-25 campaign with four goals and six assists in 76 games across 10:32 of average total ice time, nearly four minutes less than what he gave the Washington Capitals a year before.
That said, I was expecting more from a player who looked like he’d be good for between 25 and 30 points per season. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. Malenstyn also didn’t contribute much defensively after a solid season with the Washington Capitals, and it showed up in his possession metrics.
Grade: D - The Sabres acquired Malenstyn for a second-round pick, indicating he’s likely in their long-term plans. After what was a down first season in Buffalo, it’s a trade general manager Kevyn Adams may be second-guessing. For this trade to have been worth it, Malenstyn needs a stronger 2025-26 season.
Beck Malenstyn’s struggles didn’t just come in the points category
While he brought a physical edge to the Sabres this season with 191 hits, it was still 50 fewer than what he delivered in Washington. Yeah, he averaged lesser time on ice, but I was expecting Malenstyn to come into his own more in his second full NHL season. Something along the lines of three and a half body checks per contest would’ve sufficed here, getting him closer to that 280 mark.
His number of blocks and takeaways also decreased by 30 and 20, respectively. For someone who is a defensive forward, all of these numbers should’ve sailed at least somewhat north. Instead, they plummeted. But that wasn’t the most pressing factor.
Looking at Malenstyn’s possession metrics at even strength, his on-ice shooting percentage was an ugly 7.1 percent. This meant the Sabres scored just 7.1 percent of the time when Malenstyn was on the ice. His on-ice save percentage also tanked, and he finished the year at 88.3 percent.
Contrast that from his first and only full season with the Washington Capitals, when his on-ice shooting percentage resided at 10.9 and his on-ice save percentage clocked in at 92.0. So, what kept me from giving Malenstyn a failing grade? He showed enough flashes and, so far, it implies he wasn’t a complete waste.
Will Beck Malenstyn improve in 2025-26?
Regression and stagnation are not options for anyone on the Sabres and if Malenstyn understands that then yes, he will give the Blue and Gold better returns. But if he doesn’t, or if he can’t figure it out in Year 2, then no, his play will either stay the same or keep stagnating.
Like anyone else on the Sabres, Malenstyn’s job isn’t and shouldn’t be safe. 2025-26 is the “prove-it” year for everyone, or it should be, regardless of their current contract or status with the team. So, Malenstyn’s only options should be to attain 200-plus hits, 90-plus blocks, and 30-plus takeaways, and get on pace for about 25 points.
If he doesn’t do that, then Adams will be staring down at yet another wasted trade. And he’s had enough of them already, unless you count Ryan McLeod in recent memory.
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