Grading Kevyn Adams, Sabres Offseason

After missing the playoffs by one point in 2022-2023, the Buffalo Sabres regressed to 84 points in 2023-2024. A roster makeover started at the trade deadline, as the Sabres acquired defenseman Bowen Byram for forward Casey Mittelstadt to reallocate their assets. Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams set out to replace Mittelstadt this offseason with a third-line center, add a top-six scorer, and restock defense and goaltending depth.

So how did he do? It’s time to grade each phase of Buffalo’s offseason, starting with the draft.

Sabres Draft

For all of the talk of fireworks and potential trades on Day One of the NHL Draft, the Sabres, along with every other team, did not make a pick for player trade. Instead, Buffalo drafted 14th overall after a trade-down from 11 and selected center Konsta Helenius.

Helenius impressed immediately at development camp, and his long-term outlook looks promising. He ranks among the top tier of prospects in Buffalo’s pipeline.

The second-round draft pick acquired in the trade-down gave the Sabres two, which resulted in a trade for forward Beck Malenstyn. Malenstyn was the first addition of speed and physicality that foreshadowed upcoming moves. Trading a second-rounder for a fourth-line player eliminates the chance for upside, but Buffalo needed roster players more than more NHL hopefuls.

As for the rest of the draft picks, time will tell. Brodie Ziemer showed he could put the puck in the net against his peers, and Adam Kleber and Luke Osburn are solid big blueline prospects. The draft class adds to an already overstocked group of prospects, turning it into a “quantity over quality” situation.

Draft Grade: B-

More Draft Analysis: Sabres 2024 NHL Draft Summary

Jeff Skinner Buyout

The rumors of Jeff Skinner not being a part of the Sabres’ plans rooted back to the trade deadline. The Sabres couldn’t move his $9 million cap hit in-season of course, but his regression was worrisome. By then, Skinner had already been demoted from the top line and wasn’t clicking with any others.

The Sabres did finally initiate the buyout process after the draft. The presumed intention was to allocate the money saved to pay a top-six forward and a third-line center. Losing Skinner’s scoring talent hurts, but his poor defensive play and misplaced role hurt the team even more.

At this point, it doesn’t appear the Sabres will use close to all the cap space they created. They’ve failed to pull off a trade for another top-tier scorer, which many believe to be the last missing piece to a true playoff team.

Buyout Grade: D+

More Skinner: Report: Sabres to Buyout Jeff Skinner

Sabres Free Agency

Veteran Jason Zucker was the highlight of the slew of free agents the Sabres signed. He’s a former 30-goal scorer in the league coming off of a 14-goal season. He’s two years removed from 27 goals in Pittsburgh, which hints that he can still produce with the right linemates.

The rest of Buffalo’s signings addressed the fourth line and depth on defense and at goalie. Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel bring more speed and physicality to the team to join forces with Malenstyn. Dennis Gilbert and the re-signing of Jacob Bryson takes the pressure off Ryan Johnson, who is entering his second professional season.

James Reimer and Felix Sandstrom make the Sabres four deep at the goaltending position with NHL experience. Reimer began last season as the backup in Detroit and Sandstrom did the same in Philadelphia at points throughout the season.

The big free-agent names all signed deals early, with the Sabres never really in contention for any of them. Free-agent contracts are known to be regrettable towards the end of them, so not getting coerced into a bad long-term deal is a good thing.

The Sabres offseason to this point filled needs, addressed the depth, and gave themselves a new identity. However, they still had two major holes after announcing their new additions.

Free Agency Grade: B-

Free Agent Analysis: Reports: Sabres Sign Zucker, Lafferty in Free Agency

Ryan McLeod Trade

The talk the entire offseason was that the Sabres were willing to part with a prospect for a player who can help the team next season. Still, when the Sabres made that prospect Matthew Savoie, it came as a bit of a shock. Savoie was Buffalo’s highest-drafted player not in the NHL.

Buffalo’s return for Savoie from the Edmonton Oilers was the third-line center they needed, Ryan McLeod. The Sabres also acquired prospect Tyler Tullio, who seems like a longshot to reach the NHL at this point.

McLeod adds essential elements to the Sabres’ third line, fits in with the age group of the team, and has offensive upside. He’ll remain under team control after the season as well. Losing a top prospect for a third-line center does appear ideal at its core, but, given Buffalo’s situation, this trade made a lot of sense.

Trade Grade: B+

Must Read: Evaluating Newest Sabres Forward Ryan McLeod

Total Offseason Grade

It was a busy offseason for Kevyn Adams and Buffalo’s front office, but there’s still one glaring hole. The Sabres failed to add a top-six forward and are leaving unnecessary cap space on the table because of it.

There’s still plenty of time to swing another trade, but it takes two willing participants. The 31 other NHL teams have essentially completed their roster construction and parting with a big piece would leave them with a hole to be filled as well.

There are teams in cap trouble, which could illuminate a trade opportunity. The other option would be a position swap, flipping a defenseman for a forward.

Until then the Sabres offseason grade is incomplete. If this is the final roster, then the grade is much less flattering than it could be with a top-six forward added.

Offseason Grade: C+