Buffalo Sabers free agent goals for 2024 – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

This is a critical offseason for the Buffalo Sabres. Even though the focus has been on the draft in recent years – and this year’s draft is crucial for different reasons – they should look to the 2024 NHL free agency class to potentially make a difference.

The league’s best teams have built their foundations through the draft, but making the right additions via free agency can take a team from the middle of the pack to a contender. With that in mind, here are some free agents the Sabers should consider.

A quick word about Steven Stamkos

The most talked about name in free agency this season is Steven Stamkos. The Tampa Bay Lightning captain has long been one of the best scorers in the game. He was a vital part of the core that won the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons just a few years ago.

That said, it’s not happening, Sabers fans. That’s not a bad thing either. At 34, his best days are behind him. If that wasn’t enough, he has a history of serious knee injuries. We don’t know when the next one will come and end his career there.

It doesn’t make sense for the Sabers either. This team was built primarily through the draft and signing a flashy forward like Stamkos adds nothing. If we knew this was the first Stamkos, it would be a no-brainer. But that’s not the case and overpaying for this type of player could be detrimental in the long run. There are better choices for him anyway, so signing in Buffalo is fan fiction at best.

The NHL’s best unrestricted free agents in 2024

Before we get into specifically which players the Sabers should target, it’s helpful to know what the list of available free agents looks like. Here’s a look at the unrestricted free agents potentially available this summer:

Sabres’ biggest needs

One more thing before we get into potential free agent targets for the Sabres: The Sabers have a few specific things they’re looking to address in free agency, should they choose to do much about it. The biggest problem is that the team, according to center Dylan Cozens, is “too easy to play against.”

The additions of Connor Clifton and Jordan Greenway helped somewhat, but it wasn’t enough. The Sabers need someone who can contribute on the scoreboard while also adding some sandpaper to the lineup.

Another big issue to fix is ​​the faceoff circle. The Sabers have been obnoxious for years, finishing 25^th in team faceoff percentage in 2023-2024. Of the top 10 faceoff teams in the league, seven of them reached the playoffs. The Sabers can’t win a big tie when they need to, so that needs to be addressed as well.

The Most Realistic 2024 NHL Free Agent Goals for the Buffalo Sabers

Every fan has their list of players to sign. However, the average fan usually has unrealistic expectations. Signing Sam Reinhart or Stamkos falls into the “unrealistic expectations” category. Not only are they expensive, but there are also extenuating circumstances. Instead, let’s focus on names that are not only more realistic, but more fitting.

Stefan Noesen, Winger – Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes were on the short list of Stanley Cup contenders in recent years and Noesen played a key role. He makes his money by being a persistent forechecker and a crisp presence up front. He also shows good versatility in his ability to move up and down the lineup.

He’s not traditionally considered a “hard-nosed” player, but he takes on tough areas and comes out on top. He’s not going to jump off the page offensively, but the Sabers aren’t looking for rebounding from Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson. More importantly, it could be achieved with a payment of a few million per year at most.

Teddy Blueger, Center – Vancouver Canucks

On paper, he’s the perfect free agent addition. Blueger may not necessarily address concerns about being difficult to play against, but he checks a few other important boxes. For starters, he won 54% of his faceoffs at five-on-five last season. The Sabers are in desperate need of a consistent faceoff man.

Blueger also just tied a career high with 28 points and his possession stats are the best of his career. On top of all that, he’s been one of the best goal-killers on Vancouver’s roster this season. This could be a vastly underrated signing depending on what he’s asking (he has a $2.2 million cap hit for this season).

Nikita Zadorov, defenseman – Vancouver Canucks

If the Sabers want to become tougher to play against, why not go for a big, powerful defenseman? The Sabers drafted Zadorov in the first round in 2013, so there is some history with the franchise as well.

Related: Sabres’ problem with 11th pick in 2024 NHL Draft

Zadorov has decent mobility for a guy his size, but it’s his physicality that teams covet. He punishes attackers and makes them think twice when they cross the blue line. The top four consists of Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, but adding Zadorov to the third pairing could add some much-needed toughness and physicality the Sabers need.

What is the move?

This offseason is arguably the most important of general manager Kevyn Adams’ tenure. Between the draft and free agency, he has a chance to propel the Sabers into the playoffs for the first time in nearly 15 years.

It remains to be seen where these additions come from. Even a big free agent addition could be one that fans remember for years to come. Ignoring potential trade scenarios, the additions of Noesen, Blueger or Zadorov could pay big dividends next season.