The Sabres made an interesting move this past offseason with signing Jason Zucker to a one year, five million dollar contract. Critics were skeptical about the move and what Zucker would be able to accomplish with the Sabres. Zucker went on to have one of the best seasons of his career, and sign an extension before the end of the season.
So it got me thinking, what if the Sabres were to do it again with another savvy veteran. Mikael Granlund, center who reinvigorated his career with the Dallas Stars this season, should definitely be a free agent target for the Sabres.
At the beginning of this season, Granlund was a focal point on the San Jose Sharks. He put together 30 assists and 45 points in 52 games with San Jose this year before being traded to Dallas. This was now his fourth team in five years, playing with the Predators, Penguins, Sharks, and Stars.
Granlund continued his hot streak with the Stars, putting up 14 assists and 21 points in 31 games to end the season. And he was one of Dallas' best playoff performers, amassing five goals and 10 points in 18 games.
With Granlund hitting free agency. This is a scenario in which the Sabres have to be aggressive and outbid other teams for to sign Granlund. Whether it's offering him one more year on his contract term than he'd get somewhere else, or giving him an offer better than any rival team.
Buffalo has a chance to bring in a veteran who can be one of the leaders in the dressing room, and a solid second-or-third-line center who will make the Sabres better. Look at Ryan McLeod on the Sabres third line last year, putting up over 50 points and having the best season of his career. Granlund could continue his hot streak doing the same with the Sabres.
The Stars don't have the cap space to bring back Granlund, and Granlund wouldn't have to do all the heavy lifting in Buffalo. With this being an important offseason for the Sabres, they need to take all the risks possible, and signing Granlund would be a low risk, high reward for the Sabres moving forward.