The Buffalo Sabres seemed quite enthused with the acquisition of Conor Timmins from the Pittsburgh Penguins on NHL Draft weekend, as the 26-year-old appears to be a better fit from a size and salary perspective than Connor Clifton. GM Kevyn Adams indicated after the trade that the 30-year-old former Bruin would have likely not returned to the Sabres after next season, while Timmins has a year to decide on his future.
The St. Catharines, ON native is an arbitration-eligible RFA and one year away from unrestricted free agency. He will have a hearing at some point over the next two weeks, unless the Sabres and agent Paul Capizzano agree on a deal beforehand. Timmins is coming off a 15-point season with Toronto and the Penguins, and it is expected that he will earn a slight raise from his $1.1 million salary with the cap going up.
That price point fits better with Timmins expected role as a bottom-pairing defender over Clifton, who was slated to earn $3.33 million next season.
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Free agent signings have ground to a halt as the NHL has reached their summer vacation phase. Former Sabre Jeff Skinner found a home, signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks, but at this point the two most attractive scoring forwards left unsigned are former Carolina Hurricane Jack Roslovic and former Sabre Victor Oloffson.
Olofsson scored 20 or more goals three times with the Sabres and had a solid injury-shortened season with the Vegas Golden Knights last season, but will not be brought back by the Golden Knights, who added winger Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with Toronto. The 29-year-old is likely to still be in the mix for a guaranteed one-year contract with some NHL club, but if he goes unsigned through August, he may get a look on a professional tryout contract.
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