The Buffalo Sabres signed free agents winger Justin Danforth and goalkeeper Alex Lyon to two-year contracts on July 1, but the team didn’t make any major moves despite holding a promising 15-game winning streak outside the playoffs. Former Sabre Henri Jokiharju re-signed with the Sabres on a three-year, $9 million deal, then signed a one-year two-way contract with Carolina, while many other players switched teams.
Nicholas Aube-Kubel joined the Sabres after two seasons in Washington but scored just one goal in 19 games before being sent to the AHL’s Rochester. He was later traded to the New York Rangers for defenseman Erik Brannstrom.
Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert signed a one-year, $875,000 deal to bolster the Sabres’ defense, known for his willingness to fight to protect teammates like Tage Thompson. However, he was traded to Ottawa at the deadline after a tough game against Columbus.
Jacob Bernard-Docker, signed on a two-way contract, played 15 games with the Sabres but wasn’t offered a qualifying contract afterward.
Additional team notes include Curtis Lazar, a 30-year-old veteran, signing a one-year deal with Edmonton after a career-best season followed by a slump last year with New Jersey. Riley Stillman, after time with Rochester and the Sabres, signed a one-year deal with Carolina and is currently on a two-year two-way contract. Joel Armia, a former Sabres first-round pick who impressed with Montreal, signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
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Fan Take: This off-season activity highlights how the Sabres are cautiously building depth without making headline-grabbing moves, signaling a strategy focused on steady growth rather than quick fixes. Hockey fans should watch how these smaller, calculated steps impact the team’s future competitiveness in a league where patience can pay off.
