Sabres add depth in free agency

Buffalo, New York (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabers have signed Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Jacob Bryson and Buffalo native defenseman Dennis Gilbert.

Aube-Kubel played most of last season with the Washington Capitals, scoring six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 60 games. He also played in 11 games for the Hershey Bears.

Aube-Kubel played 282 games in the NHL with the Caps, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche where he won the Stanley Cup. The Sabers signed him for one season for $1.5 million.

The 28-year-old fits Monday’s theme as a tough guy to play against.

Gilbert was a third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 but has played just 82 NHL games with the Hawks, Avalanche and Calgary Flames. He comes in as a depth defenseman. Gilbert gets a one-year, $825,000 contract.

Bryson didn’t receive a $1.9 million qualifying offer from the Sabres on Sunday, but he showed big improvements last season. Bryson signed this season for $900,000.