Sabres add more depth in free agency

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – In addition to the signings of forwards Jason Zucker and Sam Lafferty at the opening of NHL Free Agency on Monday, the Buffalo Sabres have added some additional depth that will compete for NHL roster spots to start the 2024-25 season.

The Sabres have signed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel to a one-year contract, while also inking free agent defenseman Dennis Gilbert to a one-year deal, and also re-signing defenseman Jacob Bryson to a one-year contract.

Aube-Kubel played most of last season with the Washington Capitals, scoring six goals and adding 10 assists for 16 points in 60 games. He also played 11 games with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League.

Over the span of six seasons playing in the NHL, Aube-Kubel has appeared in 282 games with the Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, where he played 14 games as primarily a depth player.

His one season will carry a cap hit of $1.5 million, as the 28-year-old fits the theme of Monday as a hard guy to play against.

Meanwhile, Gilbert was a former third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in the 2015 NHL Draft. However, he has only played 82 NHL games with the Blackhawks, Avalanche and Calgary Flames.

Gilbert comes in as a depth defenseman for the Sabres on a deal worth $825,000.

As for Bryson, he didn’t get a $1.9 million qualifying offer from the Sabres on Sunday, but showed vast improvement this past season.

He signed his contract this season for $900,000.