Buffalo is where Beck Malenstyn will be. According to Elliotte Friedman’s Sunday night report, the agreement is anticipated to be signed on Monday for about six years at $3 million per season.
That’s a total commitment of $18 million for a bottom-six forward who has just completed his inaugural full season with the Sabres. Jarmo Kekalainen, GM, was obviously pleased with what he observed.
In 81 games this season, Malenstyn played for a Buffalo team that finished 50-23-9, placing fourth overall with 109 points. He also participated in 13 of the Sabres’ playoff games, scoring 7 goals, 14 points, and 1 shorthanded goal.
The numbers aren’t very impressive. But that isn’t what Buffalo is paying for.
The Sabres’ current assessment of themselves is precisely reflected in this signing, which is worth $3,000,000. A genuine competitor who needs to maintain the integrity of their locker room. Depth players on a team winning 50 games a season don’t remain on team-friendly contracts.
Malenstyn contributed one playoff goal over 13 games as Buffalo progressed to the second round before losing to Montreal in seven games, going 2-5-3 in his previous 10 regular season games.
At any cost, six years is a significant commitment for a depth forward.
The part that merits investigation is that one. Malenstyn will be 34 years old in six years. It is a true commitment for a player who has never scored more than 20 points in a season, even if it is not a roster-crushing figure at $3,000,000 per year.
In Buffalo, Kekalainen is fostering culture and continuity, not only talent. The Sabres just blew a second-round series they were expected to win. Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson are all in the center of the picture. Part of the plan is to keep the bottom six stable around them.
It’s a legitimate question whether a six-year term for a supporting actor is the best decision. However, it makes logical sense for the Buffalo organization to secure depth that the team believes in right now.
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