Buffalo Sabres re-sign Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract

Jokiharju played in 74 games and had three goals and 20 points. He ranked fourth on the Sabres in average ice time on the backline and is expected to aim for top-four minutes in 2024-25. The Oulu, Finland native also recorded 84 shots on goal, had 92 hits, blocked 106 shots and played regularly on the second penalty kill. At 25, he still has untapped potential in his game and there is a chance he could see more ice time on the power play in 2024-25. The Sabres have built a young blue line with plenty of potential, and it’s clear that with just a one-year deal, they are being patient and committing to Jokiharju for the long haul.

Entering his sixth season in Buffalo, Jokiharju was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 2019 in a one-for-one trade for former eighth overall pick Alex Nylander. Nylander played 65 games with the Blackhawks and was later traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jokiharju, meanwhile, played 309 games with the Sabres and has done a good job carving out a role for himself in Buffalo. He will look to stay healthy heading into the 2024-25 season, as Jokiharju has yet to play a full 82-game season, having played a career-high 74 games last season.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams had a busy weekend, as the team also announced the acquisition of Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio from the Edmonton Oilers and the release of top prospect Matt Savoie. This very interesting trade sent shockwaves through the hockey world.

Adams is trying to do everything he can to get his team over the hump and back into the Stanley Cup playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres finished the season with a 39-37-6 record and missed the second draft spot by seven points.