Stamkos, Free Agency Center Suits Up With Sabres

Without any major trades during draft weekend, the Buffalo Sabres may have to turn to free agency to upgrade the roster. The team is in need of a center, as Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs are the only NHL centers under contract. There are a few different directions the Sabres could go, with one big name, Steven Stamkos, at the center of the discussion.

Some would argue that the Sabres are done with Thompson and Cozens as the team's top two centers. Some would even say that Krebs is a sufficient third-line center. Still, it's clear that the Sabres need to add someone, and the better depth they create, the better the team will be.

Here are the best midfield options for Buffalo in free agency:

Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos’ agent Don Meehan confirmed Saturday that the star forward’s position with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization has not changed. In other words, he will become a free agent. This is despite the Lightning clearing cap space, which they are expected to use to pay newly acquired Jake Guentzel.

The Sabers could use the skills and experience of the 34-year-old Stamkos. He alternated between center and wing, but he is still one of the best finishers in the league. Buffalo is expected to make an attempt to get him, as will the Nashville Predators and other teams.

According to Evolving hockey Contract projections expect Stamkos to earn $8.443 million per season over three years.

Positives

The addition of Stamkos immediately strengthens the top-six forwards. Stamkos could be used as a second-line center to provide a scoring line and push Cozens into a shutdown role, which he embraced last season. Stamkos could also be a complementary player on the wing in the top six.

The possibilities for a team with Stamkos on the Sabres would look something like this:

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

??? – Steven Stamkos – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – ???

As a winger, Stamkos can play on the left flank in a top line:

Steven Stamkos – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – ??? – ???

The addition leaves room for another scoring option in the lineup. Regardless of how the Sabres' lines pan out, Stamkos adds much-needed offensive pop to the lineup. He is also a great asset to the dressing room and brings veteran experience to the leadership group, as a former captain.

Negatives

Stamkos is still an elite power play talent, even in his mid-30s. So why is that a negative? He plays the same role as Buffalo’s best power play player, Tage Thompson.

Both star players are big right shots who look for the one-timer from the left flank. It's a redundant role that could force the Sabers to get more creative on the power play. It would more likely cause discomfort for two players who like to play on the wing.

Also, the defensive aspect of Stamkos' game has diminished as he has gotten older. He is a negative for the team at even strength, much like Jeff Skinner. Head coach Lindy Ruff should address the star player and get him into a 200+ foot play.

Conclusion

If nothing else, signing Stamkos would reassure the fanbase that the Sabers are trying to compete. He's not the player he once was, but he's still one of the NHL's better offensive threats. Weighing the positives and negatives, Stamkos would be a “buckle up for the ride” signing that could move the new-look Sabers in the right direction.

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Chandler Stephenson

Chandler Stephenson likely priced himself out of Vegas, as the center went on to play a major supporting role for some of the team's top talent. He is 30 years old, but still a fast and versatile talent. His player comparisons are all over the board, with some offensive playmakers, defensive specialists and power play specialists in the top 10.

Evolving Hockey has Stephenson projected to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.133 million. That's a bit pricey for an aging third-line center, but one the Sabres would likely be able to win in free agency.

Positive

Stephenson could provide a spark in the transition between Benson and Greenway on the team's third line. He centered one of the league's best defensive wingers in Vegas in Mark Stone, so his matchup with a shutdown player like Greenway and a ruthless forechecker in Benson could be seamless.

Stephenson has also found power play success in the bumper role, something the Sabres lack with the acquisition of Skinner.

Negatives

Aside from the potential contract drag, Stephenson is below replacement level on the penalty kill and only slightly above replacement at even-strength. He has had defensive issues of late, which wouldn't appease Ruff in a third-line role.

He's more of a quick counterattack player, which is good for creating quality scoring opportunities, but also means the other team has more possession of the puck when he's on the ice.

Conclusion

A Stephenson contract could be a fallback option, but it's not a recipe for the Sabres' long-term success. They have almost NHL-ready prospects in the system who have more to offer, and a four-year deal worth over $6 million will put pressure on the cap at the end of the deal.

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Sean Monahan

Sean Monahan has had a career resurgence since leaving Calgary, where he was demoted to the third line. He has since re-established himself as a top-six forward and power play contributor. Unlike Stephenson, Monahan won’t scorch you with speed. Instead, he’ll be more tactical in his approach to creating and driving offense.

Evolving-Hockey predicts lower costs for Monahan's services, with an expected annual value of $5.276 million over three years.

Positives

Monahan would immediately step into a “2A” and “2B” center situation with Cozens. Monahan would center a line that is more prone to scoring, while Cozens is the more complete, two-way center. That opens up all kinds of options for the Sabers, depending on other additions to the forward group.

He would also immediately improve the power play, as Monahan has been one of the better bumper scorers in the NHL throughout his career.

Negatives

Because Monahan adds what the Sabres lack, it’s hard to criticize a potential signing for his shortcomings. There are flaws, though. The Sabres are a young, fast team, and Monahan is no speedster. Notably, he did play well with speedy Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.

Then there is the defensive aspect of his five-on-five play, which is not up to scratch. The Sabers may be able to protect him with some of their better defensive wingers. Otherwise, they would just let go of a line offensively and try to avoid specific matchups.

Conclusion

Monahan would be a much more cost-effective acquisition than Stephenson, especially if he is cheaper. He is 29, so even if Buffalo adds an extra year to incentivize the acquisition, they would be in good shape.

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Alex Wennberg

Alex Wennberg is more of your traditional third-line center, with experience in a shutdown role. Some of the most comparable players in the league have defensive leanings with playmaking traits, including Alex Kerfoot and JT Compher.

A projected three-year contract worth $4.41 million per season is an affordable and fair price for a third-line center.

Positives

Wennberg is an effective even-strength player with the versatility to contribute to both special teams units. He won't do anything to wow you, but he's the kind of reliable forward that Ruff likes to put on the ice in big situations.

There is a play-driving aspect to his game that suits a shutdown role. His passing ability can jump the play out of the defensive zone and up the ice.

Negatives

Name recognition isn't quite the same with Wennberg as it is with Stamkos, Monahan or even Stephenson. He's been stuck on mostly mediocre teams, although the Presidents Trophy-winning New York Rangers prioritized acquiring him at the transfer deadline last season.

Wennberg is also a reliable penalty killer, but the underlying data doesn't support him in that role. A lot of shorthanded performance is dictated by the team's system, so he might be better off killing penalties on the Sabres. Still, you'd prefer a player who is good at shorthanded, regardless of the limitations.

Conclusion

Wennberg would be a nice addition to the Sabres, but he would likely attract the attention of many teams in situations with more cap constraints and a need for center. He would be a clear one-two-three with Thompson, Cozens and him. Krebs could push Wennberg to the fourth line if he takes a developmental step, making Wennberg a far too expensive luxury.