Free agency center Stamkos set for Sabres

Without any major trades during draft weekend, the Buffalo Sabers may have to resort to free agency to improve their roster. The team needs a center, as Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs are the only NHL centers under contract. The Sabers could go in a few different directions, with one big name, Steven Stamkos, at the center of the discussion.

Some might argue that the Sabres have Thompson and Cozens as the team’s top two centers. Some might even say that Krebs is enough of a third-line center. Still, it’s clear that the Sabres need to add someone, and the more depth they create, the better the team will be.

Here are Buffalo’s top center options in free agency:

Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos’ agent, Don Meehan, confirmed Saturday that the star forward’s position has not changed within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. In other words, he will become a free agent. This is despite the Lightning’s clearing space, which they would have to use to pay for newly acquired Jake Guentzel.

The Sabres could use the skills and experience of Stamkos, 34. He plays between center and wing, but he remains one of the best finishers in the league. Buffalo should take a chance on him, as should the Nashville Predators, among others.

According to Evolving-Hockey’s contract projections, Stamkos is projected to earn $8.443 million per season for three years.

Good points

The addition of Stamkos immediately bolsters the top-six forward group. Stamkos could be used as a second-line center to form an offensive line and push Cozens into a stopper role, which he adopted last season. Stamkos could also be a complementary player on the wing in the top-six.

The Sabres’ lineup possibilities with Stamkos could look like this:

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

??? – Steven Stamkos – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – ???

As a winger, Stamkos can play on the left side on a front line:

Steven Stamkos – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – ??? – ???

The addition leaves room for another scoring option in the lineup. No matter how the Sabers lines play out, Stamkos adds some much-needed offensive flair to the lineup. He is also a great addition to the locker room and adds veteran experience to the leadership group, as a former captain.

Negative points

Stamkos is still an elite power play player, even at 35. So why is that a negative? He plays the same role as Buffalo’s best power play player, Tage Thompson.

Both star players are big right-handed shots who look for the one-timer from the left flank. This is a redundant role that could force the Sabers to get more creative on the power play. This would more likely cause discomfort to two players who like to set up on the outside wing.

Additionally, the defensive component of Stamkos’ game has declined with age. He’s a detriment to the team at even strength on defense, much like Jeff Skinner. Head coach Lindy Ruff should capitalize on the star signing and convince him to adopt a more 200-foot game.

Conclusion

If we were to at least sign Stamkos, it would reassure fans that the Sabers are trying to compete with other teams. He’s not the player he once was, but he remains one of the best offensive threats in the NHL. Weighing the positives and negatives, Stamkos would be a signing that could put the Sabers in the right direction.

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Chandler Stephenson

Chandler Stephenson is likely a long shot in Vegas, as the center has played a key supporting role to some of the team’s top talents. He’s 30 years old, but he’s still a speedy, versatile talent. His player comparisons are all over the place, with offensive playmakers, defensive specialists and power-play specialists all in the top 10.

Evolving-Hockey projected Stephenson to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $6.133 million. That’s a bit pricey for an aging third-line center, but the Sabers should probably take him in a free agency bid.

Good points

Stephenson could provide a spark in the transition between Benson and Greenway on the team’s third line. He centered one of the league’s best defensive ends in Vegas, Mark Stone, so his fit with a shutdown player like Greenway and a relentless forechecker in Benson could be seamless.

Stephenson has also had success on the power play in the bumper role, something the Sabres lack with the Skinner buyout.

Negatives

Besides contract risk, Stephenson is below replacement level on the penalty kill and is only a slightly above replacement level player at even strength. He’s struggled defensively recently, which isn’t something that would appease Ruff in a third-line role.

He’s more of a quick counterattacking player, which is good for creating quality scoring chances, but means the opposing team will control the puck more often when he’s on the ice.

Conclusion

A Stephenson signing could be a fallback option, but it’s not a recipe for long-term success for the Sabres. They have near-NHL-ready prospects in the system who have more to offer, and a four-year deal north of $6 million will fill the cap by the end.

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Sean Monahan

Sean Monahan has enjoyed a career resurgence since leaving Calgary, where he was relegated to the third line. Since then, he has re-established himself as a top-six forward and power play contributor. Unlike Stephenson, Monahan isn’t going to ignite you with speed. Instead, he will work more tactically to create and drive the offense.

Evolving-Hockey projects a lower cost for Monahan’s services, with a projected AAV of $5.276 million over three years.

Good points

Monahan would immediately find himself in a “2A” and “2B” center situation with Cozens. Monahan would center a line more capable of scoring, while Cozens is the more complete and versatile center. This opens up all kinds of options for the Sabres, depending on the other additions to the forward group.

He would also instantly improve the power play, as Monahan has been one of the NHL’s best scorers throughout his career.

Negative points

Since Monahan brings what the Sabers lack, it’s hard to criticize a potential draft pick for his flaws. There are, however, flaws. The Sabers are a young, fast team and Monahan is not a sprinter. However, he played well with speedy Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.

Then there is the defensive aspect of his five-on-five game, which is not up to par. The Sabers might be able to protect him with some of their better defensive ends. Otherwise, they would simply drop a line offensively and try to avoid specific matchups.

Conclusion

Monahan would be a much more cost-effective signing than Stephenson, especially if he is cheaper. He’s 29, so even if Buffalo adds another year to encourage the signing, they would be in good shape.

More information on the Sabers offseason: Sabers organizational chart update

Alex Wennberg

Alex Wennberg is a more traditional third-line center, with experience in a stopper role. Some of his most similar players across the league have defensive tendencies with playmaker attributes, including Alex Kerfoot and JT Compher.

A projected three-year contract at $4.41 million per season is an affordable and justifiable price for a third-line center.

Good points

Wennberg is an effective even-strength player with the versatility to contribute to both special teams units. He won’t do anything to impress you, but he’s the kind of reliable forward that Ruff likes to put on the ice in important situations.

There is a playfulness to his game that suits a shutdown role. His passing ability can move the play out of the defensive zone and up the ice.

Negatives

Wennberg’s notoriety is not quite the same as that of Stamkos, Monahan or even Stephenson. He’s been hired by generally mediocre teams, although the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers prioritized his acquisition at the trade deadline last season.

Wennberg is also a reliable penalty killer, but the underlying data doesn’t support him in that role. A lot of shorthanded performance is dictated by the team’s system, so perhaps he would be better suited to killing penalties with the Sabres. However, you would prefer a player who is good on the penalty kill, regardless of the restrictions.

Conclusion

Wennberg would be a good addition to the Sabres, but he will likely draw interest from many teams in more restrictive situations with a need at the center position. He would form a clear one-two-three with Thompson, Cozens and him. Krebs could push Wennberg to the fourth line if he takes a step forward in development, making Wennberg an overpriced luxury.