Free agency center Stamkos set for Sabres

Without any major trades coming this draft weekend, the Buffalo Sabres may have to resort to free agency to improve their roster. The team needs a center, as Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs are the only NHL centers under contract. The Sabres can go in a number of different directions, with big name Steven Stamkos at the center of the discussion.

Some will say the Sabres are ready to rely on Thompson and Cozens as their two top-tier pivots. Some will even say Krebs is enough of a third-line pivot. Still, it’s clear the Sabres need to add someone, and the more depth they can create, the better off the team will be.

Here are the best center options for Buffalo in free agency:

Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos’ agent, Don Meehan, confirmed Saturday that the star forward’s position has not changed within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. In other words, he will become a free agent. This is despite the Lightning’s clearing space, which they would have to use to pay for newly acquired Jake Guentzel.

The Sabers could benefit from the talents and experience of the 34-year-old Stamkos. He has played between center and wing, but remains one of the best finishers in the league. Buffalo should try to attract him, as should the Nashville Predators, among other teams.

According to Evolving-Hockey’s contract projections, Stamkos expects to earn $8.443 million per season for three years.

Good points

The addition of Stamkos immediately bolsters the top-six forward group. Stamkos could be used as a second-line center to form a goal line and push Cozens into a shutdown role, which he adopted last season. Stamkos could also be a complementary player on the top-six wing.

The line possibilities with Stamkos on the Sabres might look like this:

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

??? – Steven Stamkos – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – ???

As a winger, Stamkos can play on the left side of a first line:

Steven Stamkos – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jordan Greenway

Beck Malenstyn – ??? – ???

The addition leaves room for another scoring option in the lineup. No matter how the Sabres lines fare, Stamkos adds some much-needed offensive power to the lineup. He’s also a valuable addition to the locker room and adds veteran experience to the leadership group as a former captain.

Negative points

Stamkos is still an elite power play player, even at 35. So why is that a negative? He plays the same role as Buffalo’s best power play player, Tage Thompson.

Both stars are big right-handed shooters who look to get one-timers off the left flank. It’s a redundant role that could force the Sabres to get more creative on the power play. It could instead cause discomfort for two players who like to set up shop on the opposite wing.

Additionally, the defensive component of Stamkos’ game has faded as he’s aged. He’s a detriment to the team at even strength defensively, much like Jeff Skinner was. Head coach Lindy Ruff should capitalize on the star signing and get him into a 200-plus-foot game.

Conclusion

At the very least, signing Stamkos would reassure fans that the Sabres are trying to compete. He’s not the player he once was, but he’s still one of the best offensive threats in the NHL. Weighing the positives and negatives, Stamkos would be a signing that could put the Sabres in the right direction.

^ “Sabres trade 2nd round pick for Capitals forward”

Chandler Stephenson

Chandler Stephenson was likely ruled out of Vegas because the pivot has played a significant supporting role to some of the team’s top talent. He’s 30 years old, but he’s still a speedy, versatile talent. His comparisons to other players are a bit mixed, with offensive playmakers, defensive specialists and power-play specialists all in the top 10.

Evolving-Hockey has Stephenson projected to a four-year deal with an average annual value of $6.133 million. That’s a bit steep for an aging third-line center, but the Sabres should likely take him in free agency.

Good points

Stephenson could provide a spark in the transition between Benson and Greenway on the team’s third line. He centered one of the league’s best defensive ends in Vegas, Mark Stone, so his fit with a shutdown player like Greenway and a relentless forechecker in Benson could be seamless.

Stephenson has also had success on the power play in the bumper role, something the Sabres lack with the Skinner buyout.

Negative points

Aside from the potential contract hurdle, Stephenson is below replacement level on the penalty kill and only a slightly above replacement at even strength. He has struggled defensively recently, which wouldn’t appease Ruff in a third-line role.

He’s more of a quick counterattacking player, which is good for creating quality scoring chances, but means the opposing team will control the puck more often when he’s on the ice.

Conclusion

A Stephenson signing could be a fallback option, but it’s not a recipe for long-term success for the Sabres. They have near-NHL-ready prospects in the system who have more to offer, and a four-year deal north of $6 million will fill the cap by the end.

Must Read: Offseason Mock Review: Sabres Use Trade Market; Kane Returns Home

Sean Monahan

Sean Monahan has had a resurgence since leaving Calgary, where he was relegated to the third line. Since then, he has reestablished himself as a top-six forward and power-play contributor. Unlike Stephenson, Monahan isn’t going to set you on fire with his speed. Instead, he’ll work more tactically to create and drive the offence.

Evolving-Hockey projects a lower cost for Monahan’s services, with a projected three-year AAV of $5.276 million.

Good points

Monahan would immediately enter a “2A” and “2B” center situation with Cozens. Monahan would center a line more capable of scoring, while Cozens would be the more complete two-way center. This opens up all kinds of options for the Sabres, depending on other additions to the forward group.

He would also instantly improve the power play, as Monahan has been one of the NHL’s best scorers throughout his career.

Negative points

Since Monahan adds what the Sabers are lacking, it’s hard to criticize a potential signing for his flaws. There are, however, flaws. The Sabers are a young, fast team and Monahan is not a speedster. He notably played well with speedy Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.

Then there’s the defensive aspect of his five-on-five game, which isn’t up to par. The Sabres could perhaps protect him with some of their best defensive wingers. Otherwise, they’d just drop a line offensively and try to avoid specific matchups.

Conclusion

Monahan would be a much more cost-effective signing than Stephenson, especially if he’s cheaper. He’s 29, so even if Buffalo adds an extra year to incentivize the signing, they’d be in good shape.

More Sabres offseason: Sabres org chart updated

Alex Wennberg

Alex Wennberg is a more traditional third-line center with experience in a shot-stopping role. Some of his most similar players across the league have defensive leanings with playmaking attributes, including Alex Kerfoot and JT Compher.

A projected three-year contract at $4.41 million per season is an affordable and justifiable price for a third-line center.

Good points

Wennberg is an effective even-strength player with the versatility to contribute equally to both special teams units. He won’t do anything to wow you, but he’s the kind of reliable forward Ruff likes to put on the ice in big situations.

There’s a playfulness to his game that suits a shutdown role. His passing ability can get the play out of the defensive zone and up the ice.

Negative points

Wennberg’s name recognition isn’t quite the same as Stamkos’, Monahan’s or even Stephenson’s. He’s been stuck on mostly mediocre teams, even though the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers made him a priority at the trade deadline last season.

Wennberg is also a trusted hitman, but the underlying data doesn’t support him in that role. Much of the penalty kill performance is dictated by the team’s system, so maybe he’d be better off killing penalties against the Sabres. Still, you’d prefer a player who is good on the penalty kill regardless of the restrictions.

Conclusion

Wennberg would be a nice addition to the Sabres, but he’ll likely draw interest from a lot of teams in situations where the salary cap is tighter and there’s a need at center. He’d form a clear line with him, Thompson and Cozens. Krebs could push Wennberg to the fourth line if he takes a step forward in his development, which would make Wennberg an expensive luxury.