Sabres agree to terms on 2-year contract with Malenstyn

The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with forward Beck Malenstyn on a two-year contract worth $1.35 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The Sabres acquired Malenstyn in a trade with the Washington Capitals on June 29. The 26-year-old set career highs in goals (6), assists (15) and points (21) in 81 games last season while playing a physical, defensive role for Washington.

The 6-foot-3 forward participated in 562 defensive zone faceoffs at 5-on-5, third-most in the NHL. He ranked third among NHL forwards in time on the ice while shorthanded (211:32).

Malenstyn also led the Capitals with 241 hits and led the team’s forwards with 93 blocked shots — all ingredients the Sabres believe will help round out their group up front.

“This guy is a direct, tough player who finishes checks — and not just checks, but finishes them hard,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said in June. “There was a real need for that.”

Malenstyn’s heavy usage in the defensive zone last season often pitted him against opposing teams’ top forwards, often with Nicolas Aube-Kubel, another Sabres offseason acquisition, as his linemate.

“It was a pleasure to play with him all year,” Aube-Kubel said. “He’s a very tough player to play against. That’s something I learned when I played against him in the AHL. Also, playing with him, it’s not just the number of shots he blocks that counts, it’s the little details. He plays safe and he plays the right way. So it was a pleasure to play with him this year.”

The Sabres still have two restricted free agents: forward Peyton Krebs and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.