Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - It's well known that unrestricted free agency is not the way to build your team in the NHL. There were very few attractive players that became available on July 1 and many players were severely overpaid.
Jarmo Kekalainen made some minor signings which will likely benefit the Rochester Americans. Two former Sabres were signed in Dennis Gilbert and Conor Sheary. Both got one-year contracts for $850.000. Jason Polin got the same deal. He played four games for the Colorado Avalanche last season and 46 in the AHL for the Colorado Eagles. The winger had 10 goals and 11 assists for the Eagles. Overall the 27-year-old has played in 13 NHL games and scored one goal.
The Sabres gave Buffalo native Trevor Kuntar a two-year/$1.75 million deal. He made his NHL debut with the Sabres last year playing one game. In 70 games with the Amerks he scored 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points.
I asked Kekalainen if there were still some free agents that he had is eye on and he said,
"We're still open for business, if there's an opportunity to make our team better, but by no means are we desperate to add anything right now, it needs to be a perfect fit financially and cap wise it fits our system, we're open for business."
The Sabres traded Devon Levi and a seventh-round pick to the Edmonton for a third-round selection. Kekalainen addressed why he felt he needed to get rid of Levi,
"He requires waivers next year and we have three goalies, so there's a chance he wouldn't be with the Buffalo Sabres and we'd have to send him back to Rochester and there's a good chance we would've lost him for nothing."
Kekalainen admitting having Colten Ellis here factored into the trade.
Buffalo also signed newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year/$9.3 million deal. This is a good contract for both sides as it gives the 22-year-old an opportunity to reach his potential. He only played two full NHL seasons and 164 NHL games which often isn't enough get to where many thought he would be. The Sabres new GM said,
"Good negotiations with his agents and he really wanted to get a contract done and we really wanted to get a contract done and it all worked out good."
Peyton Krebs is the only restricted free agent that needs to be re-signed. Buffalo has just over $8.7 million of cap space available. Kekalainen said Krebs is a very important part of the team, it just sometimes takes long to come to an agreement.
Jarmo Kekalainen said they're open for business, but aren't desperate to add anything right now.
Jarmo Kekalainen said they're open for business, but aren't desperate to add anything right now.
