Krebs Signs Deal Before Training Camp

Peyton Krebs and the Buffalo Sabres have worked out a deal on the eve of training camp. The Sabres confirmed that they and Krebs have agreed to a two-year contract, worth $1.45 million annually. The deal helps round out the Sabres roster up front, giving them 13 forwards on the NHL roster.

Krebs was a qualified restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Sabres retained his rights throughout free agency. His qualifying offer was barely a raise from his entry-level contract, which led the two sides into negotiating something further.

Negotiations

Unfortunately for Krebs, he didn’t have much leverage. Despite playing 80 of 82 games last season for Buffalo, he only managed four goals and 17 points. For someone who was once considered the centerpiece of the Jack Eichel trade, Krebs fell into a fourth-line center role and is projected to be a bottom-six depth player again this season.

The former 17th overall selection in the first round of the 2019 draft has yet to show signs of the ceiling he once was projected to have. The two-year deal extends his opportunity to prove he’s more than a checking forward.

Related: What Is Happening with Peyton Krebs and His Contract?

2024-2025 Outlook

With the offseason acquisitions of Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod, Sam Lafferty, Beck Malenstyn, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, the Sabres have completely revamped their bottom six. The moves project to have bumped Krebs down to being the extra forward, and he now has to compete just to retain his role.

According to the PuckLuck, Krebs projects for 17 points in 56 games. This projection assumes a much more limited role than last season but is a bump in points per game.

For comparison, Krebs is developing along the same lines as Zemgus Girgensons, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Charlie Coyle at the same age. The latter two provide more hope for a boost in offensive production. Regardless of how the next two seasons go, he’s established a floor of an effective five-on-five defensive forward.

The Sabres kick off training camp on Wednesday, getting in about a week’s worth of sessions before heading to Europe for the NHL Global Series.