Sabres Extend Noah Ostlund Eight Years, Beating Signing Deadline

The Buffalo Sabres have been proactive with a number of their own players in getting them signed to long-term extensions prior to them getting close to becoming eligible for an offer sheet or unrestricted free agency. Previously, the club under former GM Kevyn Adams signed core players Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Matias Samuelsson locked up long-term. New GM Jarmo Kekalainen has followed suit with Zach Benson, Josh Doan and Beck Malenstyn.

With the expiration of the previous collective bargaining contract structure on September 15, Kekalainen was able to get another of his promising young forwards to commit to a multi-year deal. The Sabres announced on Monday they signing of center Noah Ostlund to an eight-year, $52.8 million deal ($6.6 million AAV).

The 22-year-old posted 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 60 games as a rookie, and was dependable at both ends of the ice, which made him a favorite of Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff in the second half of last season.

“He’s a coach’s dream, because those are the type of players you don’t really have to coach,” Ruff said. “He pretty well knows where he’s going almost every time. Very few times in the D zone does he get out of position.”

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As with most of their long-term deals, Buffalo could get paid off if their projections on Ostlund are correct. With the salary cap exploding, other clubs are rolling the dice on young forwards with potential who have not made their mark in the NHL yet. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins did so with winger Ville Koivunen, who they signed to an eight-year, $32 million contract extension ($4 million AAV) after only 47 games of NHL experience and just 14 career points. Boston did so last week with center Fraser Minten, locking up the 22-year-old to a seven-year, $50.4 million deal ($7.2 million AAV).  

Buffalo has both Jiri Kulich and Jack Quinn entering the final year of their contracts before becoming restricted free agents, but with Kulich’s health concerns, it is likely the Sabres want further evidence before committing to him as well. 

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