The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday moved closer to finalizing their regular-season roster, waiving defensemen Riley Stillman and Kale Clague and forward Brandon Biro for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres also sent defenseman Ryan Johnson, 22, and winger Lukas Rousek, 24, to Rochester.
They have 25 players – 15 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies – left on their training camp roster. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. Monday.
They can reach that number by placing winger Jack Quinn and center Matt Savoie, who just returned to practice, on injured reserve.
For the time being at least, it appears rookie winger Zach Benson, 18, has made the Sabres. Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, enjoyed a stellar preseason, leading the team with four goals and seven points in six games.
Stillman, 25, is a bit of a surprise cut. He enjoyed regular duty late last season after the Sabres acquired him in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks, playing 18 games.
But the additions of defensemen Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson as free agents pushed Stillman down the depth chart.
Waiving Stillman likely means Jacob Bryson, who has enjoyed a strong camp, has made the Sabres as their seventh defenseman. Bryson, 25, struggled last season, becoming a healthy scratch while compiling a team-worst minus-24 rating.
Meanwhile, Clague, 25, was expected to be assigned to Rochester, where he began last season. He played 33 games for the Sabres in 2022-23.
Biro, 25, also stood out in camp. If he clears, he could be in line for a recall. He registered 16 goals and 51 points in 49 games for the Amerks last season.
I have confidence in this general manager and coach, but waiving Bryson and putting Stillman on waivers 100% eludes me. I just don’t get it and am rather perturbed by this.
You mean retaining Bryson. I agree 100%. What are they thinking.
Got that right, I’m still in awe , I just hope they have a plan , for all this , I Believe in Stillman
I also think Comrie should go too. Unless they’re worried that Levi may need to go down if he starts out bad like the last 7 goal game. They can’t afford a poor start. That’s what happened last year and was to hard to catch up. Plus they always play great before the break than come out flat. That needs to change.