Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are in an interesting position going into next season. Just about every one of their forwards is set to become a free agent. 11 of their 15 forwards are on expiring contracts. Six of them will be unrestricted.
Michael Frolík
Michael Frolík is a former lottery pick. He went tenth overall to the Florida Panthers in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He has had a serious decline in his play since then. Frolík is no longer a dangerous player though he might be a fine depth piece on a roster.
Wayne Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds is often the first name uttered in a conversation about sandpaper and grit in hockey. He plays the game with a lot of heart and as such, is loved by fans and his teammates. There have been many Toronto Maple Leafs fans who would love to see the 31-year-old in Toronto. His style of play and veteran leadership might be welcome.
If that were to happen, it would mean that Kyle Clifford’s time with the Leafs would be over. Clifford was brought to the Buds to be a tough guy, much in the same way Simmonds was acquired ahead of the trade deadline by the Sabres. Though he will have suitors around the league, expect Simmonds to remain in Buffalo.
Jimmy Vesey
Jimmy Vesey is a player that the Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to recruit out of college. With his father Jim being a part of the Leafs scouting staff there was a belief that he might choose the Big Smoke. Instead, we went to the Big Apple.
Vesey never quite lived up to his hype. In 2016, while playing for Harvard, he won the Hobey Baker Award which is given to the best collegiate hockey player. He then chose not to sign with the Nashville Predators, the team that drafted him and went straight to free agency.
Now back in the position which Vesey found himself when he first entered the NHL, there is a chance that he might want to go to Toronto. Playing on the left-wing, Vesey will certainly explore his options though he no longer carries the same clout he did ahead of the 2016-17 season.
Zemgus Girgensons
The Latvian center Zemgus Girgensons is also going to be a UFA. He is a former 14th overall draft pick of the Sabres who had his best season at 21 years of age. He had 30 points that season evenly splitting his goals and assists. Since then, he hasn’t been north of 20 points. Now at age 26, he is a bottom-six forward. Girgensons isn’t someone who will make a significant impact on another club’s roster.
Johan Larsson
Johan Larsson has spent a large portion of the season playing on the fourth line with Girgensons. Much like the winger, Larsson isn’t a dominant player. He too is a depth piece that would look better on the Toronto Marlies than the Maple Leafs.
Vladimír Sobotka and Matt Hunwick
The Sabres have two players on LTIR. They are forward Vladimír Sobotka and former Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Hunwick. With both these players missing significant time with injuries and their unremarkable play prior to that, the Leafs should steer clear of them in the offseason.