Sabres took 'disciplined' approach into free agency

Kevyn Adams said before the start of free agency that the Buffalo Sabres would not jeopardize opportunities for their young core of players to earn meaningful ice time next season.
The team operated with that in mind on Wednesday, declining to pursue a big splash in favor of adding pieces to support a young lineup that figures to be headlined by Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, and Casey Mittelstadt in 2020-21.
Buffalo used its cap space to obtain a left-shot defenseman from New Jersey in Will Butcher and added a familiar face on the right side in Mark Pysyk. The team reinforced its forward group by re-signing Drake Caggiula and adding Vinnie Hinostroza.

Each of those players - as well as depth additions John Hayden, Sean Malone, Ethan Prow, Jimmy Schuldt, and returning defenseman Brandon Davidson - are signed only through this season.
The idea, Adams said, was not only to support the young core, but to maintain salary cap flexibility to keep the organization in a position to build around it when the time is right.
"Yesterday was going to be targeted with how we did it," Adams said. "Disciplined. Wanted to make sure we have flexibility, and we also wanted to make sure the people that we brought in wanted to be here. Short-term contracts, hungry, high-character, and help in the locker room with some of these younger players we have. And that's what we accomplished yesterday, which we feel good about."
Here are three other takeaways from Adams' chat with the media on Thursday.

1. Sabres pivoted after Ullmark's departure

Adams had been open about the organization's desire to re-sign Linus Ullmark and maintained conversations with the goaltender's representatives through yesterday afternoon.
Ullmark ultimately signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Boston Bruins. The Sabres pivoted and signed a pair of veterans in Craig Anderson and Aaron Dell.
"I felt that we made a strong offer, but what we weren't going to do was go beyond where we were comfortable," Adams said. "We have to maintain flexibility with our roster and where we go from here, so we needed to stay disciplined. We felt we got to where we were comfortable. When he decided to go a different direction, we pivoted then."
Adams said the Sabres explored the trade market but opted to refrain from moving future assets. He expects Anderson and Dell to compete for playing time, with a chance for 22-year-old Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make a push when ready.
"We feel good with the players and where we got to," he said. "I want to make it clear that we have no timeline on a young player like UPL. If we feel that he's ready to go, we won't hold him back, but everything has to be earned. We'll see how that plays out."

2. Adams reiterates stance on Eichel

Adams reiterated his comments from Saturday regarding Jack Eichel, saying the team will not trade him prior to the season if a suitable offer is not presented. Eichel is under contract through 2025-26.

"I think what's critically important to make sure is clear is that we're in control of this process, we have a player under contract, we don't feel any pressure," Adams said. "… I'm not worried about distraction, I'm worried about doing what's right for the Buffalo Sabres. That's why I say I take the emotion out of it, look at what is best for us moving forward and if there's something that makes sense, we'll do it.
"But what I can't say is, it has to be this time or that time or any sort of pressure point. If it's the right time or the right deal, we'll do it. That's just how I feel. I feel very strongly about that."

3. Looking ahead to restricted free agency

The Sabres have five restricted free agents in need of new contracts: forwards Mittelstadt and Rasmus Asplund and defensemen Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, and Casey Fitzgerald.
Asked specifically about Dahlin, Adams said the team has had productive conversations with the defenseman's representatives at Newport Sports and is open to all possibilities.
"We've said to them we're open to any type of scenario," Adams said. "I think Rasmus has been a player that, from the day he stepped into this league, everybody sees the gifts he has.
"He's excited to be here. Even from my end of the year meeting with him, you can see that he's starting to develop a little bit of leadership toward the end of the year, a responsibility that, 'I want to be the best player I can be,' and I think that attitude is infectious. So, he's a really important player for us."