Remi Elie Agrees To Terms With Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have avoided arbitration with Remi Elie, agreeing to terms with the young forward to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700K at the NHL level. Elie was scheduled for an arbitration hearing today.

Elie, 24, ended up playing in 16 games for the Sabres last season after being claimed off of waivers at the beginning of the season. He would then clear waivers a few months later and finish the season in the minor leagues, a place he may have to get used to for the time being. The two-way deal would seem to indicate that both parties are expecting him to spend some time in the AHL in 2019-20.

With 106 NHL games to his name Elie will not qualify for Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer, meaning the Sabres will retain his rights once again with a qualifying offer. That is of course if they believe he’s worthy of one, something he’ll have to prove once again. Selected 40th overall in 2013, Elie has recorded just 22 points at the NHL level in those 106 contests, and hasn’t even dominated the minor leagues in his sporadic time there. Some consistency and playing time may help him turn a corner, but there is still a long way to go before he’s a real impact player for the Sabres.