What to do with Peyton Krebs

There has been a lot of speculation about what the Buffalo Sabers would do at the center position. They were looking for an addition to go with Tage Thompson. Buffalo is currently linked to signing free agent Chandler Stephenson or trading for Anthony Cerelli.

With Thompson and Dylan Cozens firmly in place, they will look outside for the third or fourth line. If they make a high-profile trade or signing, it’s a good question to wonder what happens to Peyton Krebs.

Krebs last season only contributed 17 points in 80 games played. He too, as a third or fourth line center, won 46.3% of his faceoffs during the year. In contrast, Cirelli, who the Sabers are strongly considering trading for, gained 49.2%. Krebs is set to become a restricted free agent after his contract (initially with Vegas) ends this offseason.

If they choose to resign him, that could prove to be a cheaper option. But if Buffalo wants to go all-in on a third-line center, they might want to sign a higher-profile free agent at a higher fee. Sabers analyst for WGR Paul Hamilton commented that before Buffalo opts to move on from Krebs, they might want to look at his age and their decision to move on from traded center Casey Mittelstadt last season.

On WGR 550, Hamilton made an appearance on the Jeremy and Joe Show. He commented: “As for Peyton Krebs, he might end up signing his qualifying offer. You know, I don’t know if you want to give up on him again. Because I gave up on Casey Mittelstadt too early around the Krebs age, saying he was a bust, and I was wrong, he (Mittelstadt) was just a late bloomer.

Lindy Ruff and Kevyn Adams have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. They will need to add some much-needed depth to end their 13-year playoff drought. One that may seem minor but could be huge come March or April next season is where Krebs fits.