After failing to make the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, the Buffalo Sabres are expected to change their secondary scoring options this summer. According to David Pagnotta of TheFourthPeriod, the Sabres are not expected to offer contracts to pending unrestricted free agents Victor Olofsson or Zemgus Girgensons.
The reported news surrounding Olofsson does not come as a surprise, as the forward has seen his ice time steadily cut since the end of the 2019-20 NHL season. A reliable scoring option in years past, Olofsson has reached the 20-goal mark three separate times in six years with the Sabres organization, but has been known for poor defensive play as well as his play away from the puck. Suiting up in 314 games for Buffalo, Olofsson has scored 90 goals and 92 assists, with 33.5% of his production coming on the Sabres powerplay.
Girgensons, on the other hand, has been a consistent defensively minded forward in Buffalo for the last decade. Drafted by the Sabres organization with the 12th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, Girgensons has played in nearly 700 games for Buffalo, scoring 89 goals and 188 points while being a quality penalty killer to boot.
Throughout his tenure with the Sabres, Girgensons has been through several ups and downs, playing under five different head coaches since his rookie season. On the open market, Girgensons will be hard-pressed to earn more than his current $2.5MM AAV but should be able to find a spot on nearly every team’s fourth line.
Letting Girgensons and Olofsson pursue greener pastures this summer, coupled with the Sabres moving on from Casey Mittelstadt and Kyle Okposo at this year’s trade deadline, it is apparent that Buffalo is looking to redesign its forward core. The organization has plenty of prospect talent at the forward position, and should now have the flexibility to fill in the holes in any manner.
They need legit veteran scoring and leadership. Terry better not put his checkbook away because of the new stadium he’s building for his precious Bills. Hate how this team is treated like the red-headed step child!
I expect the Sabres to acquire a #3 center & possibly add a forward to their 4th line. Terry has not been cheap. Hockey is different than football considering how the salary cap works & how the players are paid.
They should also move on from Jost. Keeping a spot or 2 open for a younger forward needs to done.