With free agency tomorrow, I went through the list of soon-to-be free agents and highlighted all of the former Sabres. Out of those highlighted, I wanted to figure out which ones have the best chance of returning to blue and gold. I've excluded Daniel Briere from the list.

Darcy Regier stated that the team will not be looking to make a big splash in free agency.

"The focus is going to be on supporting this younger group, this younger core group. Certainly, you want good players, but you want players who are committed to being professionals, being examples, being contributors. Those are the most important characteristics and the most important things we can do organizationally to make sure we progress in the direction we need to go."

Top five soon-to-be free agents that could make a return to Buffalo:

The first player on my list is Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur has spent the past three seasons with the Maple Leafs, recording 20 goals twice. At 28 years old, the left winger has plenty of time remaining in his career and I believe he could make a positive impact on Buffalo. I liked him when he was on the Sabres early in his career, and I still like him now. He had a cap hit this past season of $3.25M.

Tim Connolly/Derek Roy - I think we all know the answer to both of these players.

Tony Lydman - While the Sabres may not have room on defense right now, I wouldn't mind seeing Lydman make a return to Buffalo. He will be 36 by the time the season begins, but can help lead the defense. The Sabres could use a guy like Lydman, and I believe he is underrated. He'll likely get 20-30 points during a full season, but he would help keep more goals out of the Sabres net.

Steve Montador. No. No. No. Montador scares me on defense. I don't trust him in the back end. I remember him costing the Sabres a few goals and Miller having to bail him out on multiple occasions. This is one free agent who I hope the Sabres don't go for. I don't believe they will, but I'd be frustrated if they did.

Brad Boyes - It's safe to say that Boyes was much more comfortable with the Islanders than the Sabres. He put up 10 goals and 25 assists in 48 games this past season. That's more points than he recorded during his 86 games with the Sabres. He had a cap hit of $1M last year. Maybe with Lindy Ruff gone and Boyes playing his natural position, he could fit on the Sabres. I've always liked him and wouldn't mind seeing him back, but I don't think he would come here again.



Thanks for reading!
Recent posts:
July 1st - How did Darcy do?
July 1st - ESPN awards Sabres A+ in draft
July 2nd - A closer look at Justin Bailey
July 2nd - Buffalo not over #48...are you?
July 3rd - Sabres release preseason schedule
July 3rd - Change coming to Buffalo
July 4th - Late night randoms

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