The Buffalo Sabres have added a bit of goaltending depth to the organization, signing Dustin Tokarski to a two-year contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $725K. Tokarski spent last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an AHL contract.
Now 31, Tokarski has bounced around the minor leagues for more than a decade, suiting up for the Norfolk Admirals, Syracuse Crunch, Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, San Diego Gulls, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Hartford Wolf Pack, Charlotte Checkers in addition to the baby Penguins. He’ll be able to fill a role on the Rochester Americans this season and give the Sabres a goalie with some NHL experience in a pinch.
Just like many of the goaltending signings this time of year, one important note is with regards to the expansion draft. The Sabres previously did not have a goaltender that filled the exposure requirements, with both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after this season. With a two-year deal, Tokarski will fill that requirement and poses very little risk of being selected by the Seattle Kraken.
Well we can breathe better now. The Sabres are now Seattle e-draft compliant. Expose Tokar and protect Jonas Johansson.
Tell us, Kevyn, you ayn’t done yet! Are you?