Reports: Sabres sign Zucker, Lafferty in free agency

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forwards Jason Zucker and Sam Lafferty to short-term contracts, according to reports. Frank Seravalli of Daily confrontation reported that the Sabres have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with Zucker. Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that the Sabers signed Lafferty to a two-year contract, worth an average annual value of $2 million.

Jason Zucker

Zucker played 69 games last season with the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators, scoring 14 goals and 32 points. The 32-year-old winger is a speedy player who can catch the opposing team off-guard and draw penalties as a result. He is coming off a 27-goal season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s unclear where Zucker will fit on the Sabres roster, but he could play in the top six or the bottom six. That puts him as the second or third-string left winger alongside Dylan Cozens or Peyton Krebs. He has a shot-first mentality that generally balances out his goal and assist totals.

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Sam Lafferty

Lafferty pairs with newly acquired Beck Malenstyn to begin the formation of a physical fourth line for the Sabres. Buffalo is looking to forge a new identity under head coach Lindy Ruff, who will be tougher to play against, which is why the move is in order. Lafferty played 79 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 13 goals and 24 points.

In addition to Lafferty’s willingness to finish hits, the 6-foot-8 forward is good at finishing off scoring opportunities. He ranks in the 75th percentile of scoring above expectations. His downhill speed also helps him get penalties.

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Other signatures

Darren Dreger TSN The Sabres announced that the Sabres have signed goaltender Felix Sandstrom to a two-way contract. Sandstrom played five games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season, posting a 1-2-0 record with a 3.87 goals-against average and .823 save percentage. He will likely be Buffalo’s third goaltender on the roster, spending most of his time in Rochester of the AHL.

Chad DeDominicis Ox expected also indicated that a one-year contract was in the works for striker Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Aube-Kubel fits a similar mold to Lafferty and Malenstyn, as he is an aggressive and very physical forechecker. He had 16 points in 60 games with the Washington Capitals last season.