Team: 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 3, 2022

Published: Jan. 3, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I honestly think the biggest problem with Buffalo heading into next year is reaching the cap floor. If they re-sign Olofsson in the off-season and bring up the forwards Rochester deserving of an opportunity to play in the NHL, they will need to add zero UFAs up front.

With that being said, defense is where they'll need to take on some added salaries to meet the floor, as well as shore up their defense. I've brought back Pysyk into the fold as a bottom pairing defender on a low risk, high reward contract. Bryson is back at a little bit of a higher cost, but is a developing PP2 guy with shifty speed. Two familiar faces will rejoin Buffalo on defense. I needed to bring in two vets with experience that are deserving of a sizeable cap hit. McNabb and Zadorov rejoin Buffalo to give them some size and grit on the back end.

Mikko "I'm just old enough to play a backup role and start in case of emergency, all while eating a fair amount of cap space but not take games away from a budding U-PL" Koskinen will take on the backup roles.

All-in-all, this puts Buffalo about a million above the cap floor. The off-season will be quiet with little or no trades taking place. Additions for both Buffalo and Rochester will come via free agency. Buffalo will be taking considerable fire power away from the Amerks, so they'll need to do their minor league affiliate right by re-stocking the shelves.