Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – The Buffalo Sabres are the fifth NHL team for 29-year-old Sam Lafferty in his career.
Lafferty played a career-high 79 games last season with the Canucks, and was a key reason why Vancouver showed so much improvement. He also set career-highs with 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points.
When it comes to choosing Buffalo in free agency, Lafferty says it wasn’t just one factor that led him here.
"It was a number of factors, and the more we thought about Buffalo, the more we really liked it and loved the opportunity here," said Lafferty in his introductory Zoom call. "I’ve always been a big fan of this hockey club and the players they have, so it got me excited to get the opportunity to play with a lot of these guys. I could just tell in the conversations with Kevyn [Adams] that this was a good fit in a situation where I can really help the team."
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Lafferty was brought in along with forwards Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, as well as defenseman Dennis Gilbert to make this team tougher to play against. He says having those guys here too will help.
"I’m excited to see some of the other guys that we brought in," Lafferty said. "I played with Jason [Zucker] in Pittsburgh, and one thing that impressed me is I was a younger guy in Pittsburgh, and just watching him every night and how consistent he was and how much intensity he brought to the table. So I’m really excited to play with him again. And I’m familiar with Aube-Kubel as well, just battling against him over the years. He’s a guy that’s always been hard to play against, so I’m fortunate to be on the same team with him now. I’m excited to see what we can do together."
Having those guys, I would think you’re going to see less of Rasmus Dahlin having to take on guys trying to take liberties with him.
"I envision our team being a team that sticks together, and competes hard for one another," Lafferty said. "I’m excited to get everyone together and start to build that chemistry. There’s no reason why we can’t piece it together and have a lot of success this year."
Lafferty know that head coach Lindy Ruff will likely put him on the ice for defensive zone faceoffs, and he’s fine with it.
"It’s definitely something I can bring to the table. Just the versatility wherever the team needs me, I’m willing and able to be out in those situations," Lafferty said. "I think I can help with the penalty kill, and just bring my speed and energy every single night."
The Sabres will have one more day of Development Camp on Thursday with the 3-on-3 tournament at Harborcenter. Things get underway at 9:15 a.m. ET.
