# Which area of the roster or position needs to improve for the Sabres to take another step next season?
**Lysowski:** Third-line center. The Sabres are set in their top six with Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, but they need to find a replacement for Casey Mittelstadt. Peyton Krebs has 20 goals and 66 points in 215 NHL games. The 23-year-old had one goal in his last 40 games of the season. It’s too soon to give up on Krebs. He has the skill, competitiveness and intensity that the club needs in the lineup. Krebs did not produce after the Mittelstadt trade, though, and Buffalo can’t afford to gamble at such an important spot in the lineup. Keep Krebs on the fourth line for now and find someone who can help shoulder some of the responsibilities that seemed to weigh down Cozens this season.
Trading will always be the easier path for the Sabres to acquire proven talent. They have prospects and draft picks to exchange for upgrades to their third and fourth lines. Here’s a glimpse of the players who could fit in Buffalo’s bottom six.
Adams doesn’t need to sign an expensive free agent, though Steven Stamkos would fit perfectly if the 34-year-old has interest in Buffalo again and is willing to accept a short-term contract. The most realistic path to finding another center is on the trade market, whether it’s Columbus’ Boone Jenner or Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton. The Sabres need an experienced center who can win faceoffs, play shutdown defense against the opponent’s top forwards and provide secondary scoring. Top prospects such as Jiri Kulich and Matt Savoie aren’t ready for that responsibility.
**Harrington:** Another scoring winger for the top six would be nice. Same for a better candidate for a No. 6 or No. 7 defenseman with more NHL experience. But everyone in shouting distance of area code 716 or with an internet connection knows this team’s bottom-six forward group needs to be blown up and rebuilt. And the biggest priority needs to be a No. 3 center. If we’re going to assume centers 1-2-4 will be Thompson, Cozens and Krebs, that No. 3 position needs to be filled with experience.
Unrestricted free agents such as Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson have too much risk of buyers’ remorse and are going to get too expensive in free agency. Agree here that it has to be a trade. Columbus’ Jenner had 22 goals and was 54.3% in the faceoff circle this season, an area where the Sabres again were woeful. Go get him as the No. 1 priority, followed by Philly’s Laughton.
# How would you handle the contract negotiation with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen?
**Lysowski:** The Sabres can’t give Luukkonen a long-term contract. He was outstanding this season with a .910 save percentage and, according to Evolving-Hockey.com, he was the sixth-best goalie in the NHL based on goals saved above expected. The 25-year-old proved he can succeed with a starter’s workload. It’s only one season of elite production, though, and history tells us few goalies in the league can consistently play at a high level each season. Even someone like Marc-Andre Fleury has encountered some dips throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Buffalo should give Luukkonen a three-year contract with a $5 million average annual value, which would secure the Sabres’ goalie tandem through at least next season. Devon Levi is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025 and remains an important part of this club’s long-term plans. A short-term deal for Luukkonen gives the Sabres stability in net at an important time for the organization and gives them time to evaluate which of the two goalies they want to commit to long term.
**Harrington:** If I’m Adams, my message is simple: You’re not Linus Ullmark yet. You’re not getting four years and $20 million. We need to see elite play for more than 3½ months to pay for it. Three years and $10 million would be a nifty raise from $925,000 per. Take it, kid. Come into camp as the incumbent No. 1 and run with it.
# Pick a player on the roster who fans don’t expect to be traded this summer but could be moved and explain why.
**Lysowski:** Jordan Greenway. The 6-foot-6 power forward was a key member of the Sabres’ penalty kill that improved from 28th in 2022-23 to 13th this season. Greenway led the team in shorthanded ice time and contributed 10 goals with 28 points in 67 games. He’s entering the final year of his contract, though, and the person who pushed for the Sabres to trade for Greenway, former coach Don Granato, is gone. Does Buffalo keep Greenway as a rental to see how he fits under Ruff? Greenway could be an effective net-front presence on the second power-play unit, and he creates space for linemates at even strength with his ability to get to the net in the offensive zone. The Sabres also could capitalize on his value now if they wish to reshape their bottom six with different skill sets.
There are several Sabres players in particular who should benefit from the experience and expertise that Ruff will bring next season.
**Harrington:** You have to wonder how much confidence the Sabres have in Mattias Samuelsson staying healthy. He’s got six years left on a deal that pays $4.285 million, and has yet to play more than 55 games in a season. It’s a bad overpay on term but not really on dollars for how effective he can be when he’s on the ice. Now that you have Bowen Byram – who figures to be much more effective under Ruff than Granato – maybe Samuelsson is a chip to get you a key upgrade to your forward group. Plenty of teams would be interested.
# Should the Sabres add a veteran goalie this summer or clear the way for Devon Levi to work in tandem with UPL?
**Lysowski:** I’d sign a veteran goalie such as Vancouver’s Casey DeSmith, who, according to Evolving-Hockey, is expected to receive a one-year contract worth $1.485 million. Adding DeSmith would allow the Sabres to give Luukkonen and Levi the bulk of starts in Buffalo and Rochester, respectively. Levi was outstanding in the regular season and most of the Calder Cup playoffs, but he’s only 22 years old with 31 games in the American Hockey League. The ideal scenario would be for him to continue to start there on an exciting, young team while Luukkonen and DeSmith are the goalies in Buffalo.
Recruiting a free agent will prove challenging if the Sabres choose that route, though. Players pay attention. They talk. Goalies around the league know that Eric Comrie got stuck behind the younger guys the past two years, and it will be difficult to convince anyone that they’ll get a legitimate opportunity as the 1B with Levi pushing to be on the team. The Sabres believe in Levi’s ability to the point that he’s bound to get an NHL opportunity if he starts the year in Rochester. Buffalo painted itself into a corner with the situation, but at least both of its goalies are capable. Levi has the talent to succeed in the NHL today. The challenge will be ensuring both are playing often enough and maintaining their confidence along the way.
**Harrington:** Nope. What would be the point of having UFAs such as DeSmith, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz or Kevin Lankinen on this team next season? Ruff isn’t going to make the mistake of overplaying Levi. He quite firmly said “U-P-L” when asked about his goaltending at his first news conference back in town. Levi needs to be ready for 30 to 35 games next season and doesn’t have much to prove in Rochester. It’s time to win. I’d rather have him growing on this team right now than any of the above names.
# Which player should the Sabres have atop their shopping list in free agency or through the trade market?
**Lysowski:** Columbus’ Jenner would be my top choice for the Sabres if he’s available. The 30-year-old captain has three consecutive 20-goal seasons and has won at least 50% of his faceoffs in each of the past nine seasons. He’s owed $3.75 million in each of the next two seasons, a bargain for an outstanding second or third-line center, and he’d give Buffalo everything it needs in a replacement for Mittelstadt. It’s unclear if Columbus ownership will allow its yet-to-be-hired GM to trade a franchise pillar like Jenner.
St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich is another player that I’d target, but he’s going to be expensive. The 6-foot-1 winger has produced at least 20 goals in five of the past six seasons. He’d give the Sabres another top-six winger who can score on the power play and handle difficult matchups. It’s fair to wonder, though, if they should use their assets to acquire a winger with only one year left on his contract when their bigger need is at center.
**Harrington:** Jenner or Laughton would be fine No. 3 center pickups. Definitely check in on Kane and Stamkos but my pie-in-the-sky name would be Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli. After reacquiring Ryan McDonagh from Nashville, the Lightning have only about $5 million in cap space, so how are they keeping Stamkos? Can’t imagine they’re letting their face-of-the-franchise guy walk.
Cirelli, 26, would check a lot of boxes for the Sabres at both ends of the ice. He’d be expensive for sure with seven years and a $6.25 million cap hit remaining. But this is his last year before a no-trade clause kicks in, so both the Lightning and other teams have to strike now. Maybe it costs you the No. 11 pick and either Samuelsson or Jokiharju and a prospect. The Sabres have cap space. And it’s May. Dare to dream with this food for thought.
BurgerFeazt
Has Lance ever written an article without Scott Laughton’s name in it?
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# Which area of the roster or position needs to improve for the Sabres to take another step next season?
**Lysowski:** Third-line center. The Sabres are set in their top six with Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, but they need to find a replacement for Casey Mittelstadt. Peyton Krebs has 20 goals and 66 points in 215 NHL games. The 23-year-old had one goal in his last 40 games of the season. It’s too soon to give up on Krebs. He has the skill, competitiveness and intensity that the club needs in the lineup. Krebs did not produce after the Mittelstadt trade, though, and Buffalo can’t afford to gamble at such an important spot in the lineup. Keep Krebs on the fourth line for now and find someone who can help shoulder some of the responsibilities that seemed to weigh down Cozens this season.
Trading will always be the easier path for the Sabres to acquire proven talent. They have prospects and draft picks to exchange for upgrades to their third and fourth lines. Here’s a glimpse of the players who could fit in Buffalo’s bottom six.
Adams doesn’t need to sign an expensive free agent, though Steven Stamkos would fit perfectly if the 34-year-old has interest in Buffalo again and is willing to accept a short-term contract. The most realistic path to finding another center is on the trade market, whether it’s Columbus’ Boone Jenner or Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton. The Sabres need an experienced center who can win faceoffs, play shutdown defense against the opponent’s top forwards and provide secondary scoring. Top prospects such as Jiri Kulich and Matt Savoie aren’t ready for that responsibility.
**Harrington:** Another scoring winger for the top six would be nice. Same for a better candidate for a No. 6 or No. 7 defenseman with more NHL experience. But everyone in shouting distance of area code 716 or with an internet connection knows this team’s bottom-six forward group needs to be blown up and rebuilt. And the biggest priority needs to be a No. 3 center. If we’re going to assume centers 1-2-4 will be Thompson, Cozens and Krebs, that No. 3 position needs to be filled with experience.
Unrestricted free agents such as Vegas’ Chandler Stephenson have too much risk of buyers’ remorse and are going to get too expensive in free agency. Agree here that it has to be a trade. Columbus’ Jenner had 22 goals and was 54.3% in the faceoff circle this season, an area where the Sabres again were woeful. Go get him as the No. 1 priority, followed by Philly’s Laughton.
# How would you handle the contract negotiation with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen?
**Lysowski:** The Sabres can’t give Luukkonen a long-term contract. He was outstanding this season with a .910 save percentage and, according to Evolving-Hockey.com, he was the sixth-best goalie in the NHL based on goals saved above expected. The 25-year-old proved he can succeed with a starter’s workload. It’s only one season of elite production, though, and history tells us few goalies in the league can consistently play at a high level each season. Even someone like Marc-Andre Fleury has encountered some dips throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Buffalo should give Luukkonen a three-year contract with a $5 million average annual value, which would secure the Sabres’ goalie tandem through at least next season. Devon Levi is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025 and remains an important part of this club’s long-term plans. A short-term deal for Luukkonen gives the Sabres stability in net at an important time for the organization and gives them time to evaluate which of the two goalies they want to commit to long term.
**Harrington:** If I’m Adams, my message is simple: You’re not Linus Ullmark yet. You’re not getting four years and $20 million. We need to see elite play for more than 3½ months to pay for it. Three years and $10 million would be a nifty raise from $925,000 per. Take it, kid. Come into camp as the incumbent No. 1 and run with it.
# Pick a player on the roster who fans don’t expect to be traded this summer but could be moved and explain why.
**Lysowski:** Jordan Greenway. The 6-foot-6 power forward was a key member of the Sabres’ penalty kill that improved from 28th in 2022-23 to 13th this season. Greenway led the team in shorthanded ice time and contributed 10 goals with 28 points in 67 games. He’s entering the final year of his contract, though, and the person who pushed for the Sabres to trade for Greenway, former coach Don Granato, is gone. Does Buffalo keep Greenway as a rental to see how he fits under Ruff? Greenway could be an effective net-front presence on the second power-play unit, and he creates space for linemates at even strength with his ability to get to the net in the offensive zone. The Sabres also could capitalize on his value now if they wish to reshape their bottom six with different skill sets.
There are several Sabres players in particular who should benefit from the experience and expertise that Ruff will bring next season.
**Harrington:** You have to wonder how much confidence the Sabres have in Mattias Samuelsson staying healthy. He’s got six years left on a deal that pays $4.285 million, and has yet to play more than 55 games in a season. It’s a bad overpay on term but not really on dollars for how effective he can be when he’s on the ice. Now that you have Bowen Byram – who figures to be much more effective under Ruff than Granato – maybe Samuelsson is a chip to get you a key upgrade to your forward group. Plenty of teams would be interested.
# Should the Sabres add a veteran goalie this summer or clear the way for Devon Levi to work in tandem with UPL?
**Lysowski:** I’d sign a veteran goalie such as Vancouver’s Casey DeSmith, who, according to Evolving-Hockey, is expected to receive a one-year contract worth $1.485 million. Adding DeSmith would allow the Sabres to give Luukkonen and Levi the bulk of starts in Buffalo and Rochester, respectively. Levi was outstanding in the regular season and most of the Calder Cup playoffs, but he’s only 22 years old with 31 games in the American Hockey League. The ideal scenario would be for him to continue to start there on an exciting, young team while Luukkonen and DeSmith are the goalies in Buffalo.
Recruiting a free agent will prove challenging if the Sabres choose that route, though. Players pay attention. They talk. Goalies around the league know that Eric Comrie got stuck behind the younger guys the past two years, and it will be difficult to convince anyone that they’ll get a legitimate opportunity as the 1B with Levi pushing to be on the team. The Sabres believe in Levi’s ability to the point that he’s bound to get an NHL opportunity if he starts the year in Rochester. Buffalo painted itself into a corner with the situation, but at least both of its goalies are capable. Levi has the talent to succeed in the NHL today. The challenge will be ensuring both are playing often enough and maintaining their confidence along the way.
**Harrington:** Nope. What would be the point of having UFAs such as DeSmith, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz or Kevin Lankinen on this team next season? Ruff isn’t going to make the mistake of overplaying Levi. He quite firmly said “U-P-L” when asked about his goaltending at his first news conference back in town. Levi needs to be ready for 30 to 35 games next season and doesn’t have much to prove in Rochester. It’s time to win. I’d rather have him growing on this team right now than any of the above names.
# Which player should the Sabres have atop their shopping list in free agency or through the trade market?
**Lysowski:** Columbus’ Jenner would be my top choice for the Sabres if he’s available. The 30-year-old captain has three consecutive 20-goal seasons and has won at least 50% of his faceoffs in each of the past nine seasons. He’s owed $3.75 million in each of the next two seasons, a bargain for an outstanding second or third-line center, and he’d give Buffalo everything it needs in a replacement for Mittelstadt. It’s unclear if Columbus ownership will allow its yet-to-be-hired GM to trade a franchise pillar like Jenner.
St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich is another player that I’d target, but he’s going to be expensive. The 6-foot-1 winger has produced at least 20 goals in five of the past six seasons. He’d give the Sabres another top-six winger who can score on the power play and handle difficult matchups. It’s fair to wonder, though, if they should use their assets to acquire a winger with only one year left on his contract when their bigger need is at center.
**Harrington:** Jenner or Laughton would be fine No. 3 center pickups. Definitely check in on Kane and Stamkos but my pie-in-the-sky name would be Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli. After reacquiring Ryan McDonagh from Nashville, the Lightning have only about $5 million in cap space, so how are they keeping Stamkos? Can’t imagine they’re letting their face-of-the-franchise guy walk.
Cirelli, 26, would check a lot of boxes for the Sabres at both ends of the ice. He’d be expensive for sure with seven years and a $6.25 million cap hit remaining. But this is his last year before a no-trade clause kicks in, so both the Lightning and other teams have to strike now. Maybe it costs you the No. 11 pick and either Samuelsson or Jokiharju and a prospect. The Sabres have cap space. And it’s May. Dare to dream with this food for thought.
Has Lance ever written an article without Scott Laughton’s name in it?