July 1: The Sabres confirmed Rathbone’s deal and also announced a three-year, $2.325MM deal for defenseman Ryan Johnson worth $775,000 per season. It’s a two-way contract in 2025-26 and a one-way deal for 2026-27 and 2027-28. The 2019 first-round pick only saw three games of NHL action last season after making 41 appearances in 2023-24, but he did post 13 points and a +13 rating in 66 games with AHL Rochester. Assuming he reaches 80 career NHL games by the time his new deal expires, he’ll be an RFA upon expiry. If not, he’ll be eligible for Group VI UFA status.
June 29: Eligible to test free agency in less than 48 hours as a Group Six unrestricted free agent, defenseman Jack Rathbone has instead decided to re-sign with the Sabres. PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that Rathbone has signed a two-year deal to remain with Buffalo. The deal will pay $800K in the NHL, $525K in the minors, and has a guaranteed salary of $550K per season.
The 26-year-old came to the Sabres last summer as a Group Six UFA, inking a one-year, two-way pact that guaranteed him $500K, meaning he gets a small pay bump on this new agreement. Rathbone didn’t see any action with the Sabres this season but was a regular with AHL Rochester, tallying 23 points in 63 regular season games while adding three assists in eight playoff contests.
Rathbone looked like a legitimate NHL prospect a few years ago. He held his own in eight games with the Canucks in 2021-22 and notched 40 points in just 39 games with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford that same season. However, Rathbone hasn’t been able to come anywhere close to those offensive numbers since then and has now spent time with three different organizations over the last year and a half.
Rathbone shouldn’t be adding to that new team total next season, assuming he once again clears waivers in training camp and starts with Rochester. Instead, he’ll serve as a valuable experienced player for the Amerks while being a possible recall option should injuries strike during the season in Buffalo.
Sign Faksa and Perbix, re-up Tuch, proactively give Krebs a raise – dude lays it out there every game and should be compensated for like Jack Quinn is now, Trade Byram for Rust, move on from Appert and Wilford, bring back the old Buffalo Stampede intro, ditch the blue and gold forever for the Black and Red, re-up JBD, pat yourself on the back for signing Lyon, trade Sammy to Philly, bring back Dennis Gilbert, and relocate to Bloomingdale Road on Rez land to avoid state income taxes on players.