The NHL’s off-season is nearly here, and that means fans and media will soon be speculating on which of the league’s pending UFA players will wind up in certain markets. And Buffalo Sabres fans are probably dreaming about Buffalo spending to acquire some big-name talent. But now’s your chance to weigh in — in the comment section below — and identify which soon-to-be-UFA players you want the Sabres to pursue.
To wit: do you think the Sabres should pursue Toronto Maple Leafs star right winger Mitch Marner? The 27-year-old is currently earning $10.9 million, and he’s bound to get a major raise on his next contract. He had a career-high 75 assists and 102 points in 81 games, and that kind of production would be music to the Sabres’ ears.
Meanwhile, what about Vancouver Canucks right winger Brock Boeser? The 28-year-old earned $6.65-million this season, and he’s also going to be in high demand. Boeser generated 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games, and while there will be many interested parties in Boeser’s services, perhaps there’s a way the Sabres can lure him to Western New York.
Then there’s Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers. The 27-year-old earned $6-million this year, and he posted 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games. Ehlers also will be hotly-pursued, and the Sabres will have to fend off other teams’ advances for Ehlers, but Buffalo acquiring him isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Finally, there’s veteran Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund. The 33-year-old made $5-million this season, and while his offensive numbers (including 15 goals and 45 points in 52 games) aren’t mind-blowing, his experience might be very valuable to Buffalo’s cause.
The Sabres are projected to have approximately $21.4-million in salary cap space to use this summer. But they’ll have to spend some of that money on RFA defenseman Bowen Byram, as well as the team’s other notable RFAs. So unless Sabres GM Kevyn Adams moves out money on other fronts, it won’t be easy for Buffalo to outbid other teams on the top free agents out there.
But that shouldn’t stop Sabres fans from dreaming, right? With that in mind, drop down into the comment section and let us know which players you want Buffalo brass to go after this summer. Your fellow Sabres fans will want to hear all about it.
Read the full article here
