Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Before the Buffalo Sabres have even dropped the puck for their 53rd season on Thursday against the New York Rangers, the team has been quite busy locking up some key core pieces to long-term contract extensions.
It started Monday morning with the announcement of an eight-year contract extension for defenseman Rasmus Dahlin worth $88 million. Then on Wednesday night, the Sabres announced a new seven-year contract extension for defenseman Owen Power worth $58.45 million.
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Combined with signings last season with the likes of Mattias Samuelsson, Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, the Sabres have locked up their young core through, at least, the 2029-30 season.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams feels these signings have given the team the ability to have foresight for roster planning in years to come.
"We want to have tough decisions," said Adams on Thursday after inking Power to his new contract extension. "You're putting a puzzle together, you're planning long-term, but you also have to look short-term and how you can win hockey games now. So to have those pillars in place, foundational pieces that are here for a long time is a big help as we plan this out."
As for Power himself, he has shown immense talent in his young NHL career, to this point, 38 points (6+32) in 87 games played. Adams feels Power gives the Sabres some versatility on the blue line, along with the other players already in place.
"Obviously he has talent. Everybody can see that he has talent, but the maturity he plays with, the calmness, the poise, he's still getting bigger and stronger. He's just scratching the surface of what I believe he can do," Adams said. "But when you have defenseman like him that can be out there 25-plus minutes a game in every situation, and then you add, by the way, Rasmus Dahlin and Samuelsson that are young and can eat up huge minutes, I think that's a really good place to start building your team."
One thing that has been a major change for the Sabres in recent years is the team's ability to draw in players to sign long-term deals. Adams says this is a key piece to what they've focused on, especially with their younger players they've developed.
"It goes both ways, right? It's certainly individuals are different with what they're thinking, some would rather be short, some are rather be long. I think it speaks more in our own situation," he said. "I guess it's really all I can speak to, but the commitment these young guys are making to be here and be here for a long time, and believe in what's happening and believe something special is happening, that's the key piece for me."
Hear more of Adams' comments with the media on Thursday available in the player below:
