At Sabre Noise, we’ve written a number of pieces about free agents, but this one will focus on the three most likely offseason moves the Sabres will make. This results from overall skill, depth at various positions, and salary cap room.
Boeser Brock
We just spoke about Boeser a few weeks ago, but since then, additional articles have been written about how ideal he would be for the Sabres. Boeser, who finished with 25 goals and 25 assists, is coming off a poor season. He has demonstrated throughout his career that he is capable of scoring goals at a high level, and he would flourish in an attack ranked in the top 10 like the Sabres’.
Boeser excels on the power play and in 5v5 situations; he had Quinn Hughes to get him the puck in Vancouver, and the Sabres have just the player for Boeser. Rasmus Dahlin will be able to set up Boeser for scoring situations.
This would add scoring depth to the Sabres, as Boeser played primarily right wing this year, a spot currently taken by Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the top two lines. Both Thompson and Tuch can play center, which would allow Boeser to play with Thompson on the first line.
For around 7-7.5 million per year is what will get Boeser to Buffalo, and I think the Sabres would be dumb not to make a move on him.
Allen, Jake
In terms of goals against average and save %, the Sabres’ goaltending was rated 29th and 30th, respectively. Allen, a powerful veteran, relieves Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of some of the strain. UPL is under contract with the Sabres, and it is anticipated that he will serve as the team’s main goalie. With a 3.20 goals against average and a.887 save percentage, he finished the previous season 24-24-5.
Prior to relocating to New Jersey, Allen was the main guy in Montreal and has lately been a key goaltender. He can start games and has shown to be a reliable backup. His 2.66 goals against average and.908 save percentage from the previous year would be a significant improvement for the Sabres.
For right around three million per year, the Sabres can lock down Allen, as he can play more games to give UPL more rest. UPL, in my opinion, was burnt out last year after playing so many games in a row once Devon Levi was sent down and James Reimer was re-acquired.
Allen is the piece the Sabres could need to improve their goaltending and find their way into the playoffs.
Alexander Romanov
The last piece the Sabres could look into would be Alexander Romanov, who spent last season with the New York Islanders. Romanov was an impressive piece for the Islanders over the last few years as he has played two full seasons from 2022-24, and even with an injury this past season, he still played 64 games.
Romanov has been a reliable defensive defenseman for the Islanders, averaging about 20 points a season. His plus-minus, which stands at +41 throughout his three seasons with New York, is the statistic that most strikes me.
With more than 150 hits and blocks in the previous season, Romanov is also the physical presence the Sabres need. The Sabres will need a defensive replacement because Bowen Byram is probably going to be out this season. The Sabres may sign Romanov to a multi-year contract for between $3.8 and $4 million.
In this instance, Romanov has far more potential and would contribute more to the Sabres in the future, yet they paid Henri Jokiharju about the same amount last year.
