With these measures, the Buffalo Sabers could end their playoff drought in 2025.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It’s time to rebuild the Buffalo Sabres. With things about to heat up around the league, this is my attempt to put together a Buffalo Sabers roster that I believe would immediately become a playoff contender. This is a combination of speculation, educated guesses, and pure chaos.

We will start by handling the internal affairs of the Sabres:

Jeff Skinner buyout

When there is smoke there is fire. With general manager Kevyn Adams non-committal on Skinner’s future, it certainly appears his time in Buffalo is coming to an end. From the moment Lindy Ruff was hired, I began to wonder how Skinner would fit into the future. The cap savings this year would be about $7.5 million. The most difficult year to deal with would be 2026-27, with Skinner on a $6.44 million cap hit, but with a rising salary cap, the Sabers might have to take their medicine and move on.

With Skinner’s buyout, the Sabers would have about $31 million in cap space this summer.

Sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP

3 years, $17 million ($5.67 million per year)

The Thatcher Demko contract (5 years x $5 million) would seem to be what Luukkonen’s camp would want from the Sabres. However, five years might be a bit too long for the Sabers with Devon Levi also in the mix. So to make a deal, the Sabers are giving UPL more money and less term to make it an attractive deal.

Qualify RFAs Henri Jokiharju/Peyton Krebs

Does not qualify: Kale Clague or Jacob Bryson

Krebs is a player I still believe in. If he is someone who can be replaced by a more established player, the Sabers should explore that possibility. But if he’s back as the Sabres’ fourth-line center next year, I’m fine with that.

As for Jokiharju, well…

Professions:

Buffalo trades Henri Jokiharju + 2024 third-round pick to Tampa Bay for Erik Cernak

The Lightning have no first, second or third round picks and only have $5.3 million in projected cap space. If they want to keep Steven Stamkos, they need to part with a good player. Buffalo sends a capable player in Jokiharju with an undershot hit and a mid-round pick to add a bully to their blue line. Cernak is a nightmare to play against and the Sabers need more guys like that in their lineup.

Buffalo trades Ryan Johnson + 2024 second-round pick to Florida for Sam Bennett

Karl B. DeBlaker/AP

Much like the Lightning, the Panthers have a limited salary cap and many players need new contracts. With Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour poised for big salaries, the Panthers will have to get creative. They add a young prospect to their blue line and a second-round pick in exchange for a capable third-line center. It’s a bit risky for the Sabers to add a player one year away from unrestricted free agency, but they eventually have to take the risk of making a risky move.

Free Agency:

AD Patrick Kane: two years, $10 million

Did you know that Patrick Kane is from Buffalo? Although Kane threw cold water on rumors that he was headed to Detroit or Buffalo last season, it was clear the Sabers were interested. With so much already accomplished as a player, it would make perfect sense that Kane would want to finish his career in Buffalo playing for the coach who was behind the bench of the teams he grew up watching.

RW Warren Foegele: three years, $12 million

Foegele got a pay raise after a strong 2023-24 season. For a team looking for physicality and skill, Foegele is a great fit for the bottom six. $4 million per season is a steep price for a depth forward, but he can move up and down the lineup and would provide offensive upside. Foegele will have interest from suitors, so the Sabers need to offer him a deal that would be worth it.

LW William Carrier: two years, $4.5 million

Carrier was a player the Sabers never wanted to lose in the expansion draft. He has been a solid role player in Vegas over the past seven seasons and got a good deal in free agency. He’s a great fit for the Sabers at the bottom of their lineup.

D Jacob Bryson: one year, $1 million

In my opinion, Bryson isn’t worth the $1.9 million qualifying offer the Sabers should pay him, but I have no problem with him at a cheaper price as the Sabres’ seventh defenseman. I thought he was good enough in 2024 to stay another season.

Potential programming:

Peterka – Thompson – Tuch

Benson-Cozens-Kane

Greenway – Bennett – Quinn

Carrier – Krebs – Foegele

Rousek/Koulitch

Samuelsson – Dahlin

Power – Byram

Clifton – Cernak

Bryon

UPL

Levi

Final thoughts:

This exercise made me realize how much work the Sabers have to do. Kevyn Adams will have a lot of big decisions to make and will need to be aggressive. Last year was a huge disappointment that started this summer with two uninspiring additions in free agency. If Adams relies on internal growth this season, it may be his last gamble as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. Fortune favors the bold and it’s time for the Sabers to take a chance.