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Sabres Notes: Peterka, Byram, Samuelsson

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While NHL teams are preparing for the start of free agency, the Buffalo Sabres are actively working the phones on a few key potential trades, according to The Fourth Period.

The expectation is that general manager Kevyn Adams will be busy this week, with forward JJ Peterka at the top of the trade block rumor mill. Despite his youth, potential, and the fact that he seemingly fits perfectly into Buffalo’s long-term plans, Peterka is also considered an ideal candidate for a change of scenery.

While the Sabres appear to have hesitancy toward trading Peterka, the list of teams interested in his services continues to grow. And as Peterka nears restricted free agency, the Sabres are now more open to listening to offers for the 23-year-old, amidst the belief that Peterka’s preference would be to move on. Peterka set career highs this past season with 68 points, finishing tied for second on the team with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, just behind forward Tage Thompson. The 23-year-old has increased his point total by 18 points in each of the last two seasons, and his stock is rising as he looks for his first long-term deal.

Elsewhere with the Sabres:

  • The league also appears to have significant interest in defender Bowen Byram, who originally joined the Sabres at the 2024 Trade Deadline in a one-for-one swap that sent center Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche. Byram was a staple in the Sabres’ top four during the 2024-25 season, playing all 82 games and averaging over 22 minutes per night. He also set career highs with 38 points and 116 blocked shots. While Byram has had some struggles in the defensive zone, his offensive upside and age make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their defensive core. Like Peterka, Byram is believed to be seeking a fresh start. Per The Fourth Period, the Sabres are not interested in moving either player for future assets and would prefer to receive NHL-ready talent in return.
  • The Fourth Period also notes that the Sabres are actively shopping defender Mattias Samuelsson, who put up 14 points in 62 games. The 25-year-old was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2018 draft and has played 212 games for the team over the course of five seasons. The 6’4″, 220-pound lefty has brought a physical presence to the Sabres over that span, posting more than 100 hits in each of the last four seasons, despite never playing more than the 62 games he suited up for last year. Samuelsson is entering the third year of a seven-year deal that carries a $4.285MM AAV.

Ducks Interested In Tavares, Boeser As Marner Backup

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While the Anaheim Ducks may be prepared to offer pending free agent Mitch Marner a record-breaking offer, the team is interested in several other additions if Marner signs elsewhere. This list includes veterans John Tavares and Brock Boeser, per The Fourth Period.

Anaheim holds more than $30MM in cap space (per PuckPedia), and ownership recently discussed the desire to build a Stanley Cup-caliber team as soon as possible, setting off speculation that they’ll aggressively pursue Marner. Yet with only one winner in that sweepstakes, the Ducks are also eyeing pending free agents like Tavares and Boeser to bolster their offense.

While Marner appears almost certain to leave Toronto, Tavares remains optimistic about re-signing with the Leafs. Still, at 36, he may view Anaheim’s cap-rich, rebuilding opportunity as perhaps his final shot at a big payday. After posting 38 goals last season (his most since the 2018-19 season), Tavares proved he still has a lot left in the tank. Although his next contract won’t match his current $11MM AAV, Tavares could still land a significant multi‑year deal if he tests the open market.

Anaheim is also among a host of teams reportedly tied to Boeser. As David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported, Boeser is a “longshot” to return to Vancouver, setting the stage for the 28-year-old sniper to hit the open market. While the interest in Boeser’s services appears lengthy, the type of deal he’ll command is a bit murkier than other pending free agents. Unlike Tavares, Boeser didn’t set the world on fire in his contract year. His goal total dropped from 40 during the 2023-24 season to just 25 last season. His points also fell by 23, and his plus/minus dropped from plus-23 to minus-25 year over year. Still, Boeser posted his sixth career season with at least 23 goals and remains on the right side of 30. The limited options in this free agent class also work to his advantage.

Heeding the turnaround desire from ownership, the Ducks have already had a busy offseason, including the hire of Joel Quenneville as head coach, trading for veteran forward Chris Kreider, and resigning pending restricted free agent Nikita Nesterenko. The team also faces a tough decision regarding goalie John Gibson, who has long been rumored to be on the trade block. Through it all, it’s expected that the Ducks will seek to add offensive firepower in free agency, with Tavares and/or Boeser potentially serving as solid backup options if they miss out on Marner.

Conn Smythe Voting Results Revealed

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While Sam Bennett took home the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy after a historic postseason run that included 15 goals, the voting was closer than many might expect. The Professional Hockey Writers Association released the voting results, with Bennett receiving 76 points and teammate Brad Marchand close behind with 68.

Bennett and Marchand were the only players to receive first- and second-place votes, making them the clear-cut choices among the 18 writers. Others receiving votes included Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Gustav Forsling, and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl. Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis, and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 6.

From the start of the playoffs, Bennett established himself as a force. While he was one of five Panthers to record at least 22 points during the playoffs, his 15 goals led the team by a margin of four. He also became just the fourth active player to score at least 15 goals in a single postseason, joining Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Zach Hyman. He also joins an elite list of centers to accomplish the feat, including Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic.

Marchand posted 10 goals and 20 points during the playoffs, but shone brightest in the finals, where he scored six goals, including Game 2’s overtime winner. After going without a goal in the Panthers’ opening series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Marchand went on to produce 10 goals in the team’s final 18 games. Acquired at the trade deadline from the rival Boston Bruins, Marchand is one of the most pivotal deadline additions in recent memory.

Bobrovsky finished a distant third in voting with 10 points. He delivered his usual steady performance in goal, posting a .914 save percentage and three shutouts over 23 playoff games. He arguably saved his best for last, turning aside 28 of Edmonton’s 29 shots in the cup-clincher. Bobrovsky finished fourth Conn Smythe voting last season.

Claude Giroux, Senators Continue Negotiations

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The Ottawa Senators and pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux have reportedly been in contract talks for several weeks. While the two sides remain at a stalemate, they recently met in an effort to close the gap, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen.

Garrioch shares his belief that the Sens would like to bring Giroux back on a one-year deal. While Giroux just put up a solid 50-point campaign (and added five points in six playoff contests), it did represent a 14-point decrease from the prior. A one-year deal could protect Ottawa from the potential of the 37-year-old Giroux completely hitting the wall.

Giroux recently completed a three-year, $19.5MM contract with the Senators in which he scored 71 goals and 193 points in 245 games. With 1,263 games played and 1,116 points to his name, Giroux boasts a resume that warrants consideration for the Hall of Fame. He’s also contributed 86 points in 101 playoff games, giving the young Senators a veteran presence as they aim to take the next step. The team ended its eight-year playoff drought this past season, and with key pieces like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Cozens, Jake Sanderson, and Thomas Chabot locked in for the foreseeable future, Ottawa appears poised to become a legitimate contender.

For his part, Giroux appears to have an interest in returning to Ottawa. However, with fewer than two weeks remaining until free agency, the Senators have just $15 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), and as Garrioch notes, the team has also held discussions with fellow pending free agent forwards Adam Gaudette, Nick Cousins, and Matthew Highmore. They also face key decisions regarding restricted free agents like forward Fabian Zetterlund and goalie Leevi Merilainen. It remains to be seen where Giroux falls in that list of priorities.

If Giroux does hit the open market, Garrioch believes the Montreal Canadiens would have interest in his services. Like Ottawa, the Canadiens have a young, talented core leading the way. However, with just over $6 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), they’d need to get creative to add Giroux and other assets once free agency begins.

Panthers Repeat As Stanley Cup Champs, Bennett Wins Conn Smythe

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Aided by Sam Reinhart’s four goals, the Florida Panthers have repeated as Stanley Cup Champions, defeating Edmonton in Game 6 by a score of 5-1. For his efforts, pending free agent Sam Bennett won the Conn Smythe after posting 15 goals throughout the playoffs.

Florida’s stars shone bright throughout the playoffs, including fantastic efforts by the likes of Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk, and, of course, solid play between the pipes from star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. Remarkably, the Panthers had nine players record at least 15 points throughout the playoffs, with six recording at least 20 points. However, Bennett led the way with his incredible finishing ability. His knack for elevating his game in the playoffs culminated in a well-deserved Conn Smythe win, and he’s now poised to cash in on his next contract.

For Edmonton, it’s another season that has ended in heartbreak. Despite another postseason of heroics from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers were once again undone by their defensive flaws and inconsistent goaltending. For his part, McDavid has amassed an absurd 75 points over the last two playoffs, including last season’s Conn Smythe win, while Draisaitl added an incredible 65 points in that time. However, both stars will have to wait for their shot at hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Bobrovsky turned aside 28 of Edmonton’s 29 shots. “Bob” was particularly strong in the second period, turning aside 10 shots, including several high-danger chances. A key moment came midway through the second period when McDavid and Corey Perry broke out on a two-on-one. However, Perry couldn’t get solid contact on McDavid’s pass through the crease. Just a few minutes later, Reinhart potted his second of the game, giving Florida a commanding 3-0 lead and essentially putting the game out of reach. He scored his third and fourth goals on empty-netters late in the third period.

With the Stanley Cup Finals concluded, another NHL season comes to a close. Attention now turns to a busy offseason schedule, which includes the NHL Draft and the start of free agency in the next few weeks.

Free Agent Focus: Seattle Kraken

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Free agency is less than a month away and teams are looking ahead to when it opens.  There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign as well.  We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Kraken.

Key Restricted Free Agents

F Kaapo Kakko – After joining the Kraken in a mid-season trade from the New York Rangers, Kakko seems to have found his stride in Seattle. While he recorded just 14 points in 30 games with the Rangers, he flourished in 40 games with the Kraken, scoring 10 goals and totaling 30 points. That level of production over 82 games would equate to a 50-point season. Given that the former second-overall pick is still just 24 years old, he may be finally finding his footing in the league. A continued partnership appears to make good sense for both parties.

F Tye Kartye – If the Kraken and new head coach Lane Lambert prioritize bottom-six forwards with a physical presence, bringing Kartye back into the fold would be a logical move. While the forward saw his offensive numbers slightly dip from his rookie campaign, Kartye finished second on the team with 175 hits despite skating in just 63 games. The 24-year-old put up 11 goals and 20 points during the 2023-24 season, showcasing some offensive upside.

D Ryker Evans – While there weren’t many positives for the Kraken during the 2024-25 season, the emergence of Evans as a bona fide NHLer was one of them. Frequently paired with veteran Brandon Montour, Evans posted solid numbers in his first full NHL season, registering 25 points, 123 hits, and 106 blocked shots. His hit total ranked first among the team’s defensemen and third overall, while his blocked shots also finished third. A long-term deal could pair Evans and Montour for years to come.

Other RFAs: D Cale Fleury, D Peetro Seppala

Key Unrestricted Free Agents

F Michael Eyssimont – Acquired by the Kraken as a part of the Yanni Gourde trade, Eyssimont made a moderate impact in Seattle. In 20 games, he contributed four goals and six points while averaging 10:26 of ice time per game. Eyssimont, 28, has skated in over 200 NHL games and will provide whichever team he lands with a reliable bottom-six depth piece. However, he was simply a secondary addition to the first-round picks Seattle received the Gourde deal. A veteran of four NHL seasons, Eyssimont has already played for four different franchises and could add a fifth when free agency begins. He represents the team’s only non-roster player set for unrestricted free agency.

Other UFAs: F Brandon Biro, F Luke Henman (Group6), D Gustav Olofsson, D Maxime Lajoie, D Nikolas Brouillard, G Ales Stezka

Projected Cap Space

With minimal players set to hit free agency, the Kraken, president of hockey ops Ron Francis and GM Jason Botterill find themselves with plenty of spending room. According to PuckPedia, Seattle has nearly $20MM in cap space. While some of that will likely go towards retaining restricted free agents like Kakko and Evans, Botterill and company should still have plenty of wiggle room to make a splash in free agency if they choose to do so. Now that the team has finalized its coaching staff, they can turn their attention to the future of the roster. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that he feels the Kraken could play a factor in outbidding other teams for restricted free agents.

“I think Seattle is really eager to take a step this year. They have a lot of cap room, a lot of draft picks, and a lot of flexibility. I don’t know how Jason Botterill or Ron Francis feel about offer sheets, but it was pointed out to me that Seattle has the flexibility to go down that route if they wanted to. So, that’s another team people should be watching,” he said.

Oilers’ Coach Kris Knoblauch Mum On Game 6 Starting Goalie

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Facing elimination, Edmonton Oilers’ coach Kris Knoblauch still isn’t sure who his starting goalie will be for Game 6. Or, at least, he isn’t making his intentions known.

Knoblauch didn’t commit to either Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, stating the team will go with whichever goalie gives them the best chance to win. When asked how he’ll make the decision, Knoblauch said, “That’s a conversation with the staff. Obviously, our goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz, but with all the assistants and the general manager to weigh how everyone feels and what’s best moving forward.”

Knoblauch acknowledged that the decision is “not an easy one,” pointing out that both goalies have proven they can win games. He added that whichever goalie is chosen, the team believes they’ll be the one to help secure a win on the road in Game 6.

Skinner started the first four games of the Finals but was pulled in two of them, prompting Knoblauch to start Pickard in Game 5. The decision was made in hopes that Pickard could replicate his heroics from Game 4, where he stopped 22 of 23 shots in the overtime win. However, he struggled in Game 5, allowing four goals on 18 shots for a .778 save percentage. Despite the Oilers making it to Game 6 of the Finals, both goalies have put up less-than-stellar statistics throughout the playoffs, with Skinner posting an .891 save percentage and Pickard owning an .886 mark.

While Knoblauch was non-committal on who he’ll start, the team may have tipped their hand during practice today. As TSN’s Ryan Rishaug points out, Skinner was in what was the starter’s net the last time they practiced in Florida. Rishaug added that forward Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman John Klingberg took part in line drills, signaling their potential return. Kapanen was replaced in the lineup by Viktor Arvidsson in Game 5.

 

Sam Bennett’s Next Contract Expected To Exceed Teammate Verhaeghe’s

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Forward Sam Bennett is having a phenomenal postseason run for the Panthers, and it’s coming at an opportune time for the pending free agent. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is set to land a hefty contract, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared on radio show SN590 that while the Panthers have reportedly offered Bennett a deal similar to Carter Verhaeghe’s recent extension, he believes it won’t be enough to keep him in Florida.

The Panthers and Verhaeghe agreed to an eight-year extension in October. He will earn $7MM each year of the deal, with $46MM of the $56MM being paid out in bonuses. Florida also gave Verhaeghe a six-year no-move clause that began this past season and will last the first five years of his new deal. However, Friedman believes Bennett has priced himself out of a similar deal.

“I think they tried to sign Bennett to the Verhaeghe deal, which was eight years times $7MM with bonus structure. That’s not going to get it done,” he said.

While Verhaeghe and Bennett posted similar regular-season numbers (Verhaeghe recorded 53 points to Bennett’s 51 this past season), Bennett has elevated his game in the postseason. While playing with his usual physicality, Bennett has taken his game to another level ahead of free agency with an impressive 15 goals in 22 postseason games. Add in that he and Mitch Marner are poised to set the market for free agents as the top two names available, and Bennett is poised for a big payday. Even if he takes a hometown discount to remain in Florida, he’ll command much more than his expiring deal, which came with a $4.425MM AAV. To keep Bennett in the fold, the Panthers may need to offer a deal closer to the eight-year, $69MM extension that kept star Sam Reinhart off the market last summer. That deal came with a cap hit of $8.625MM per season.

However, as Friedman points out, the Panthers have some other key pending free agents to consider, including franchise staple Aaron Ekblad and veteran Brad Marchand, who is having his own heroic postseason run. With $19MM in cap space, per PuckPedia, Panthers GM Bill Zito will need to get creative if he hopes to retain all three players next season. And while hometown discounts are always possible—especially for a team as successful as Florida—Friedman cautions that those can’t be relied upon.

“I think people can always take a little less, and that’s fine. Do what makes you happy. But while you’re always willing to take a little bit less, the question is how much? I think for every person that’s different. And I think there are some teams out there that are really prepared to make Marchand some big, short-term offers. And nothing in the playoffs has changed my opinion on that. In fact, it’s only grown. So, I think the biggest question for Florida is what they can do against what some other teams are going to be able to do,” he said.

Red Wings Goalie Prospect Rudy Guimond Decommits From Yale

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Detroit Red Wings 2023 sixth-round selection goalie Rudy Guimond is no longer committed to Yale University, per Mark Divver of NHL.com.

The Moncton Wildcats, Guimond’s QMJHL team, also announced his return. Moncton won the Q’s championship this season and will now have their star goalie back in the fold. The 20-year-old Guimond started last season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, but struggled mightily, going 1-5 with an .887 save percentage. He then joined the Moncton Wildcats, where he turned the tide entirely, finishing the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record and a .940 save percentage. Carrying that momentum into the playoffs, he posted an 8-1 record, leading the team to their third championship.

Moncton’s general manager and director of hockey operations Taylor MacDougall said, “We are thrilled Rudy has chosen to return to Moncton. He was an integral part of our group’s success last season and now he has the opportunity to establish himself as one of the most impactful goaltenders in the CHL. Rudy has showcased elite composure and consistency. His decision to return to Moncton speaks to his trust in the process and desire to continue to improve under our goaltending coach, Antoine Samuel.”

Guimond’s tenure with the Wildcats wasn’t merely impressive—it was historic. He secured victories in his first 24 starts, setting a new league record, before experiencing his first defeat in Game 4 of the QMJHL Final against Rimouski. The 20-year-old is listed at 6’3, the type of size coveted by NHL teams. He sits as one of the Red Wings’ top goaltending prospects, joining the likes of Sebastian Cossa, Michigan State University’s Trey Augustine, and Michal Postava, who recently signed a two-year, entry-level contract after playing for HC Kometa Brno of Czechia’s highest league.

Free Agent Focus: Ottawa Senators

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Free agency is now under a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Senators.

Key Restricted Free Agents

F Fabian Zetterlund – The 25-year-old Swedish winger is coming off his second consecutive season with over 40 points, but managed just five points in 20 games with the Senators after being acquired from the Sharks. He added zero points in the team’s first-round matchup against the Maple Leafs. Zetterlund, however, does provide more than just an offensive element, and established career highs in hits (154) and blocked shots (81) during the 2024-25 season. Originally a third-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 draft, Zetterlund has 20-goal potential that could draw interest from other teams. That, coupled with his offensive struggles with the Senators, might push him down Ottawa’s list of priorities this offseason.

D Donovan Sebrango – Sebrango made his NHL debut last season but appeared in just two games. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the third round (63rd overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL draft, has shown flashes of offensive upside at the AHL level, recording 20 points in 50 games last season with the Belleville Senators. At 6’2, 220, he also possesses the physical traits that can make him a solid two-way player. Although the Senators have seven defensemen under contract for next season, bringing Sebrango back to provide organizational depth could be a sensible move.

G Leevi Merilainen – At just 22 years old, Merilainen may have done enough last season to earn a shot at the team’s backup role. While Linus Ullmark has a firm hold on the starting job for the foreseeable future, Merilainen made a strong impression during his first taste of NHL action, signaling a potential breakthrough. The team’s third-round selection in 2020, Merilainen posted an 8-3-1 record for the Senators this past season, with a .925 save percentage and 1.99 GAA. He added three shutouts, meaning he stopped every shot he faced in 25 percent of his starts. With Anton Forsberg set to hit free agency, the door is open for a Merilainen-Ullmark tandem in goal. The question now is what kind of raise Merilainen will command on his next deal.

Other RFAs: F Vitaly Abramov, F Alex Formenton, F Jan Jenik, F Jamieson Rees, F Tristen Robins, F Philippe Daoust, F Xavier Bourgault, D Lassi Thomson, D Maxence Guenette

Key Unrestricted Free Agents

F Claude Giroux – At 37 years old, Giroux is still getting it done. While his production has dipped over the last few seasons, Giroux still put up 50 points in 2024-25 and added five points in six playoff contests. His veteran experience and steady production are clearly valued by the Senators, as the two sides have reportedly been in contract negotiations for several weeks. Giroux recently completed a three-year, $19.5MM contract he signed with the Senators in which he has scored 71 goals and 193 points in 245 games. After spending 15 years with the Flyers, Giroux has found a new home in Ottawa, and it appears that partnership is poised to continue. The remaining questions are how long the new deal will be and what the annual cap hit will look like.

F Adam Gaudette – In his second stint with Ottawa, Gaudette enjoyed a breakout campaign, posting a career-high 19 goals over 81 games. Despite averaging just 10:25 of ice time per night, he came close to hitting the 20-goal mark and chipped in with a goal and two assists during the playoffs. While his career-best season will undoubtedly earn him a raise on the open market — even if it was boosted by an unsustainably high 21 percent shooting percentage — Gaudette may prefer to remain in Ottawa, where head coach Travis Green’s system clearly suits his style of play.

D Travis Hamonic – A veteran of 900 NHL games, Hamonic is coming off of a disappointing season where he posted just seven points and a minus-16 rating in 59 games. Hamonic battled a lower-body injury that kept him out of the lineup for multiple weeks, and he also struggled in the playoffs, recording zero points and a minus-4 rating in five games. In his prime, Hamonic routinely skated 20-plus minutes a night and provided stout two-way play. Now, he’s coming off two injury-shortened seasons and has struggled to make an impact when in the lineup, posting a minus-26 rating over that span. A change of scenery will probably serve both parties well.

G Anton Forsberg – In his fifth season with Ottawa, Forsberg posted solid numbers and reestablished himself as a reliable backup after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. In 30 appearances on the year, Forsberg posted a 11-12-3 record to go along with a .901 save percentage and 2.72 GAA. His production was in line with his career averages, and his three shutouts marked a new personal best. However, the organization may have to put Forsberg’s potential return to Ottawa in question, as Merilainen’s youth and upside will likely take precedence. If Forsberg hits the open market, he’ll likely have no trouble finding a new home, as many teams would welcome a reliable veteran presence between the pipes.

Other UFAs: F Nick Cousins, F Matthew Highmore, F Hayden Hodgson, D Dennis Gilbert, F Angus Crookshank (Group6), F Cole Reinhardt (Group6), F Wyatt Bongiovanni (Group6), D Jeremy Davies, D Filip Roos (Group6)

Projected Cap Space

The Senators will enter free agency with just north of $15MM with a projected cap space, per PuckPedia. It’s a solid amount to work with on the surface, but if deals with Giroux and the team’s restricted free agents come together, they will take up a significant portion of that cap space, which could limit Ottawa’s ability to pursue some of the bigger names on the open market.

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