The Buffalo Sabres signed a pair of free agents in winger Justin Danforth and goalie Alex Lyon to two-year deals on July 1, but did not make any kind of big splash with the club facing the prospect of a 15th straight season outside the playoffs. In terms of former Sabres in the opening week of free agency, defenseman Henri Jokiharju re-upped with the Boston Bruins on a three-year, $9 million contract extension and Tyson Jost re-signed on a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina, but a number of others changed addresses.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Minnesota Wild, one-year, $775,000/$500,000 – Aube-Kubel joined the Sabres after playing two seasons in Washington, and scored only one goals in 19 games with the Sabres before being demoted to AHL Rochester. He was dealt to the NY Rangers for defenseman Erik Brannstrom, who finished out the year with the Amerks and headed to Europe.
Dennis Gilbert – Philadelphia, one-year, $875,000 – The Buffalo native signed a one-year deal to add some toughness to the Sabres blueline. Gilbert did drop the gloves in defense of teammate Tage Thompson, unfortunately, it was in the following game against Columbus. He was dealt along with Dylan Cozens to Ottawa at the deadline.
Jacob Bernard-Docker – Detroit, one-year, $875,000 – Acquired in the Cozens deal, Bernard-Docker played 15 games for the Sabres, but did not receive a qualifying offer.
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Curtis Lazar – Edmonton, one-year, $775,000 – The 30-year-old journeyman spent the last three seasons with New Jersey, but after a career-high 25 points in 2023-24, he dipped to just five points in 48 games with the Devils last season.
Riley Stillman – Edmonton, two-year, $1.55 million / $450,000 / $475,000 – After spending his last season in the Sabres organization with Rochester, the 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with Carolina and played mostly with the AHL Chicago Wolves. He now signs a two-year, two-way deal with the Oilers as a depth defenseman.
Joel Armia – Los Angeles, two-year, $5 million ($2.5 million AAV) – The Sabres former first-rounder had an excellent season in Montreal as a bottom-six winger and penalty killer (11 goals, 18 assists in 81 games) and cashes in on a two-year deal with the Kings.
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