The Buffalo Sabres were relatively quiet on July 1st, as they only added depth pieces. They made their big move back on June 7th when they resigned pending UFA Jeff Skinner to a massive eight-year, $72 million contract ($9 million AAV). Here’s a recap of all the moves they made yesterday, and a brief write-up on each player.
- Curtis Lazar, F. Lazar was signed to a one-year, $700,000 contract. He played just one game with the Calgary Flames last season and is notorious for being the first-known NHL player to ask for a demotion to the minors. In 57 AHL games, last season with the Flames’ affiliate, the Stockton Heat, Lazar recorded 20 goals and 21 assists. Drafted 17th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators, he has played in 246 career NHL games, tallying 15 goals and 36 assists in that span. The 24-year-old center is playing for his third team in six seasons.
- John Gilmour, D. Gilmour was signed to a one-year, $700,000 contract. He played in just five games for the New York Rangers last season, in which he recorded no points. In 70 AHL games with the Rangers’ affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, Gilmour tallied 20 goals and 34 assists. Drafted in the seventh round (198th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, he has played in 33 career games, tallying two goals and three assists in that span. The 26-year-old defenseman is on his second team in two seasons.
- Andrew Hammond, G. Hammond was signed to a one-year contract worth $700,000. He did not play in any NHL games last season but had a 2.81 GAA and 0.910 SV% in 33 games played with the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. He has a 2.31 GAA and 0.923 SV% in 56 career NHL games. The 31-year-old netminder is on his third team in five seasons.
- Jean Sebastian Dea, F. Dea was signed to a two-year contract worth $1.4 million ($700,000 AAV). He played in 23 NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, recording four goals and two assists in that span. In 26 AHL games this season, he had six goals and 16 assists for the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Signed by the Penguins as an undrafted free agent before the start of the 2016-17 season, he has played in 29 career NHL games and has five goals and two assists. The 25-year-old center is on his third team in four seasons.
- C.J. Smith, LW. Smith was resigned to a two-year contract worth $1.4 million ($700,000 AAV). He played in 11 NHL games for the Sabres last season, recording two goals and no assists in that time. In 62 AHL games for the Sabres’ affiliate, the Rochester Americans, last season, he tallied 28 goals and 30 assists. Signed by the Sabres as an undrafted free agent season before the 2017-18 season, he has played in 13 career NHL games, recording two goals and one assist in that time. The 24-year-old left wing has played parts of two seasons in the NHL, both for the Sabres.
This post will be updated later with my thoughts on their day. To be honest, I do not know much about them and what they needed, so I probably won’t say much because I don’t want to make things up. I have a general idea of what they needed though, so stay tuned!
Hockey Addict 