The Buffalo Sabres made a bold move by extending forward Josh Doan on Wednesday. The club rewarded Doan’s strong play this season by handing him a seven-year, $48.65 million contract.
In short, it was the sort of savvy move the Sabres haven’t been really known for in recent years. The deal precludes the need for Doan and the team to negotiate a contract this summer. Doan was on track to become an RFA. That won’t be the case now, of course.
In his first season in Buffalo, Doan has scored 15 goals and 35 points in 49 games. He’s already more than doubled his totals from last year with the Utah Mammoth. Doan’s performance this season has been the fulfillment of his potential as a second-round pick from the 2021 NHL Draft.
It’s worth pointing out that Doan was a bit of a controversial part of the JJ Peterka trade this summer. At the time of the deal, the Sabres came under fire for the seemingly underwhelming return.
That discussion is basically moot at this point. Doan has come up clutch this season, pretty much declaring the Sabres as the winners of the Peterka trade.
Moving forward, the Sabres will be expecting Doan to remain a crucial piece in the team’s future. The 23-year-old will have a chance to lead Buffalo back to the playoffs for the first time in almost 15 years.
Doan Long-Term Investment for Sabres
Josh Doan is a long-term investment for the Sabres. While his numbers this season are certainly encouraging, the club is betting that he will continue to get better with time.
Doan’s $6.95 million cap hit may seem a bit high now. But the rising cap dynamics in the NHL, as the increasing salaries that will come with it, will make Doan’s cap hit look cost-effective.
That’s why the Sabres made a long-term play here. They secured Doan’s top UFA years at a very reasonable price point.
Of course, there’s always the risk that Doan doesn’t live up to his contract. But then again, that’s a risk that all teams run with every player they sign. Injuries, inconsistency, or any other externality could derail what looks to be a promising contract.
That’s an extreme worst-case scenario. By all accounts, the Sabres hit one out of the park with Doan.
Tide Turning in Buffalo
Doan’s signing is just one example of how the tide is turning in Buffalo. After years of futility, it seems like the Sabres are finally bringing optimism to their fans. The club currently holds the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
That seemed far-fetched in early December with the Sabres in last place. But a prolonged winning streak swung the odds back in the team’s favor.
Now, it seems that the NHL’s longest playoff drought will be coming to an end. There’s still plenty of hockey left to play. With the Olympic break just around the corner, Buffalo will have a chance to rest, recover, and recalibrate for what will be a sprint to the finish.
The hope is that the Sabres will play well into the spring for the first time in quite some time.
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