LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday did not extend a $1.9 million qualifying offer to defenseman Jacob Bryson, making him a free agent.
The Sabres extended qualifying offers to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, defenseman Henri Jokiharju and forwards Beck Malenstyn and Peyton Krebs.
Luukkonen, Jokiharju and Malenstyn all have arbitration rights.
Defensemen Riley Stillman and Calle Sjalin, two other pending restricted free agents, also did not receive qualifying offers.
The Sabres could re-sign Bryson, who had arbitration rights, to a salary lower than his qualifying offer. He just completed a two-year, $3.7 million contract.
Last year, they re-signed center Tyson Jost to a cheaper contract after not qualifying him.
Bryson, 26, compiled one goal and eight points in 36 games last season. After sitting out 29 of the first 32 contests as a healthy scratch, he played 10 games with the Rochester Americans before returning to Buffalo and enjoying some regular duty.
If he re-signs, he would give the Sabres depth.
Bryson has registered four goals and 36 points in 206 career NHL games. The Sabres drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, 99th overall.
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The Calgary Flames on Saturday drafted forward Trevor Hoskin, who plans to play at Niagara University next season, in the fourth round, 106th overall.
Hoskin, 20, spent last season with the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Cobourg Cougars, scoring 42 goals and 100 points in 52 games.
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The Sabres open their four-day development camp today.
Trade Krebs already.
He’s useless.
Too small.
Weak shot
Trade him
Lol.
Why bother responding
I’m hoping Adams will swing a great trade starting July 1st. Me & a number of others believe the Sabres are 2 pieces away from serious contention providing the current roster follows through on the accountability consistency all-in approaches Ruff mentioned in his press conference. A solid two-way defenseman & someone who can play right wing & center who crashes the net often. A few under 30 FAs may also be of help. I fully understand the frustration of missing the playoffs since 2011 but I also mentioned hey we fired Lindy Ruff who got us there consistently then we never made it back since. Now Ruff the winningest coach in Sabres history is back & will bring the Sabres back into the playoffs.