Sabers don’t give Jacob Bryson or two other qualifying offers

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabers did not extend a $1.9 million qualifying offer to defenseman Jacob Bryson on Sunday, making him a free agent.

The Sabers extended qualifying offers to goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, defenseman Henri Jokiharju and forwards Beck Malenstyn and Peyton Krebs.

Luukkonen, Jokiharju and Malenstyn all have arbitration rights.

Defensemen Riley Stillman and Calle Sjalin, two other pending restricted free agents, also did not receive qualifying offers.

The Sabers could re-sign Bryson, who had arbitration rights, at a salary lower than his qualifying offer. He just completed a two-year, $3.7 million contract.

Last year, they re-signed center Tyson Jost to a cheaper contract after failing to qualify him.

Bryson, 26, had one goal and eight points in 36 games last season. After missing 29 of the first 32 games healthy, he played 10 games with the Rochester Americans before returning to Buffalo and playing a regular role.

If he re-signs, he would give the Sabres depth.

Bryson has four goals and 36 points in 206 career NHL games. The Sabers drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, 99th overall.

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