Sabre Noise
Fansided

Top 5 defensemen over age 30 the Buffalo Sabres can sign

By Sion Fawkes

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 13: Dmitry Orlov #81 of the Boston Bruins skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 13, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 13: Dmitry Orlov #81 of the Boston Bruins skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 13, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Buffalo Sabres need a top four defenseman, but they could end up signing one on the other side of 30. Here are five big names slated to hit free agency.

I’m not one to name-drop so early in the offseason since the re-signing period will always take more than a few would-be free agents off the market. However, it doesn’t mean I don’t refrain from making preliminary lists and brainstorming, so that’s all this initial list holds regarding over-30 defensemen currently slated to be unrestricted free agents.

And following my article on the subject of Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams perhaps being interested in signing a blueliner over 30, it organically led to me asking, “Who would be targeted if he indeed went after an older defenseman?”

There are five names that jump out at me. So let’s meet them.

Will the Buffalo Sabres sign Ian Cole?
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 20: Ian Cole #28 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Ryan O’Reilly #90 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 20, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Five blueliners over 30 who could join the Buffalo Sabres

1 – Ian Cole

Ian Cole’s experience as a two-time Stanley Cup winner is uncanny for a Buffalo Sabres team seeking more than just a playoff berth in 2023-24. He’s also a physical complement to Owen Power, having logged over 100 hits and blocks in each of the past two seasons.

The one downside, however, is that Cole hasn’t always played consistent minutes for the second pairing throughout what has been a long NHL career, logging just 17:41 of average total ice time. However, he averaged 19:23 of average total ice time this past season, indicating he’s capable of lining up alongside Power.

2 – Scott Mayfield

At 6’5, 220 lb, Scott Mayfield boasts size that will jump out at you. And like Cole, Mayfield boasts enough of a physical presence to complement Power. He also recorded 21:02 minutes of average total ice time in 2022-23, showing us that he’s more than capable of filling in on the second pairing.

Even better? Mayfield played in all 82 games this past season, so even if injuries again hit the Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation, Mayfield showed off some much-needed durability.

Home/Free Agency