BREAKING NEWS: Sabres unlikely to re-sign two key pending free agents.

After missing the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, the Buffalo Sabres are expected to revamp their secondary scoring options this summer. According to David Pagnotta of TheFourthPeriod, the team is unlikely to offer contracts to pending unrestricted free agents Victor Olofsson and Zemgus Girgensons.

The news about Olofsson isn’t surprising, as his ice time has been decreasing since the 2019-20 NHL season. Olofsson, who has been a reliable scorer in the past, hitting the 20-goal mark three times in six years with the Sabres, has been criticized for his defensive play and performance away from the puck. Over 314 games with Buffalo, he has recorded 90 goals and 92 assists, with 33.5% of his points coming on the power play.

Girgensons has been a steady defensive forward for Buffalo over the past decade. Selected 12th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, he has played nearly 700 games with the Sabres, scoring 89 goals and 188 points, and has been a key penalty killer. Despite facing numerous challenges and playing under five different head coaches since his rookie year, Girgensons has remained a consistent presence. On the open market, he may struggle to exceed his current $2.5 million AAV but is likely to find a role on many teams’ fourth lines.

With the departures of Girgensons and Olofsson, along with moving on from Casey Mittelstadt and Kyle Okposo at this year’s trade deadline, it’s clear the Sabres are aiming to reshape their forward lineup. The organization boasts a wealth of prospect talent at forward and now has the flexibility to address their needs effectively.