Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - Before Louis Crevier gets the chance to play his first game with the Sabres on Thursday night, the defenseman has inked a long-term extension to stick around in Buffalo.
The Sabres have announced a four-year contract extension for Crevier worth $16 million, that locks him under contract in Buffalo through the 2030-31 season.
The 6-foot-8, right-shot defenseman was acquired by the Sabres this offseason as part of the Bowen Byram trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 25-year-old has played in 134 career NHL games - all with the Blackhawks - scoring 10 goals and adding 22 assists for 32 points. He also ranked second on the Blackhawks last season in blocked shots (95) and hits (124).
Crevier is a former seventh-round pick (188th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft.
With Crevier now under contract long-term, the Sabres have five defensemen under contract through the 2028-29 season.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is happy to have Crevier in the fold.
"When I've watched him at practice, we've had lots of discussions about him. We've watched him in the games, he's moved the puck well and skated well," said Ruff after Thursday's morning skate in Columbus. "There was a little concern coming off [shoulder] surgery this summer, but everything looks great. I think this will be a great fit for our hockey club."
Crevier admits he wanted to get a new contract out of the way.
"I'm really happy. It's something I've worked at for awhile now, and I'm just super glad it's behind me," Crevier said after Thursday's morning skate. "Just having stability, I think will help me a ton to play hockey."
It has seemed like Crevier has fit right in with this team from the start.
"Everyone was really welcoming, and since it happened in the summer, I was free to process more-and-more information, learn names and stuff, even before I came into Buffalo," Crevier said. "I think that helped a lot. It was just super easy, honestly."
Since training camp opened, Crevier has played with Conor Timmins, Rasmus Dahlin and now Owen Power, who he will skate with for Thursday's season opener. He says getting a chemistry with the defensemen on the Buffalo blue line hasn't been hard.
"I think they're all really good players, so it helps a lot," Crevier said. "In Chicago, it was the same even earlier in the year last year. We were playing seven defensemen, so I feel like I'm used to playing with different guys."
Of all the seventh-round picks taken in the 2020 NHL Draft, Crevier has, by far, played the most games. Up next is Ilya Solovyov (Pittsburgh Penguins) with 45 games played and former Sabres, now Edmonton Oilers goalie Devon Levi (39).
The Sabres open the 2026-27 regular season on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR.
