Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Additions

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Sabres were active but unspectacular on the first day of NHL free agency.

The team signed five players, focusing primarily on the bottom six players on the roster as well as overall roster depth.

Left wing Jason Zucker gets the biggest payday, signing a one-year, $5 million contract.

Zucker had 32 points (14+18) last season between the Coyotes and Predators.

General manager Kevyn Adams pointed to Zucker’s extensive playoff experience (52 games over nine seasons) as well as the flexibility to place him on any line Lindy Ruff deems appropriate.

Center Sam Lafferty was awarded a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2 million.

Lafferty is coming off career-highs with 13 goals and 11 assists with Vancouver.

Forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.

Jacob Bryson returns to the Sabres after spending time in Buffalo and Rochester last season. He gets a one-year contract worth $900,000.

Finally, a hometown kid is returning to Buffalo. Defenseman Dennis Gilbert signed a one-year contract worth $825,000. Gilbert attended St. Joe’s High School and also played for the Buffalo Junior Sabres.

Five others signed bilateral contracts.

Forward Josh Dunne gets a two-year, two-way contract with an average annual value of $775,000.

Forwards Brett Murray and Mason Jobst, defenseman Jack Rathbone and goaltender Felix Sandstrom sign one-year, two-way contracts worth $775,000 each.