@boosbuzzsabres
Just how much is an NHL utility forward worth in this day an age?
Perhaps Buffalo Sabres forward
Evan Rodrigues is a prime case.
Rodrigues, an undrafted free agent out of Boston University, was signed by the Sabres in 2015. The former Terrier had just complete his fourth and final season at BU posting 21 goals and 41 assists in 40 games while riding shotgun alongside 2015 second-overall pick, Jack Eichel. Everybody and their brother knew that the Eichel-effect was in play when projecting Rodrigues' hockey upside at the pro level with many feeling as if he'd be one of those AHL/NHL tweeners.
In four professional seasons Rodrigues has shown he can skate very well and maneuver in and out of trouble. He has hockey smarts, is a very capable set-up man and has a very good shot of his own, all of which he proved as he made his way up the ranks sans Eichel. However, in addition to posting solid numbers, it may have been his versatility that got him to this point in his NHL career. Rodrigues can play all positions up-front and play on most lines save for maybe the top line and he was used on the penalty kill and powerplay last season. With the Sabres devoid of centers after Eichel, Rodrigues saw plenty of action there taking the third-most faceoffs on the team (655) albeit with a sub-par 46.4 win percentage.
Last season the soon to be 26 yr. old Rodrigues established himself as an NHLer who looks as if he'll fit in as a bottom-six forward that can be used in the top-six when needed. In 74 games for Buffalo he scored nine goals and added 20 assists for 29 points which was tied for sixth on the team (Kyle Okposo.)
Rodrigues has shown the penchant for steady growth but just how far that takes him remains to be seen. Within that unknown lies the reasoning behind Buffalo not wanting to commit to a multi-year deal as well as an apprehension with signing him to his desired $2.65 million asking price. The Sabres came in at $1.5 million and the arbiter basically split the difference with a $2 million award.
A "show me" deal like this seems to be the road Buffalo general manager Jason Botterill prefers to travel when there are question marks involved. He did that with goaltender Robin Lehner in 2017 when he eschewed a long-term deal in favor of one-year deal for $4 million. Lehner didn't show much and ended up signing a one-year deal with the NY Islanders for $1.5 million. After being nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the Islanders didn't commit to Lehner long-term and he signed a 1yr./$5 million deal with the Chicago Blackhwaks.
One of the "show me" deals that looks poised to bite Botterill in the behind is the one involving forward Sam Reinhart. After a Jekyll/Hyde 2017-18 season, Reinhart hit the RFA bargaining table looking for a long-term deal with estimates being in the $5-6 million/season range but he ended up singing a 2yr./$7.3 million bridge-deal that was a steal last year as he had a breakout campaign with 65 points (22+43) in 82 games. Should he equal or surpass those numbers that $7.3 million figure may very well end up being is average annual salary.
There shouldn't be much to worry about concerning Rodrigues. A breakout season for him might be in the 15-goal/30 assist range which would be fantastic for all sides and wouldn't cost an arm and a leg next season when Rodrigues will still be a restricted free agent. As a complimentary/role player, Rodrigues fits in very well and a 1yr/$2 million deal is right where it should be at this point.
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Three more Sabres have arbitration cases coming up in August. At present Buffalo has 13 forwards, eight defensemen and one goalie on the roster, according to CapFriendly, with just over $3.1 million in cap-space left. Signing all three would most definitely put them over the cap ceiling but they'd also be two players over the upper roster limit.
Next up is forward
Remi Elie who spent a majority of his time in the Buffalo organization skating for the Rochester Americans. His hearing is scheduled for August 1. The day after that, Sabres backup goalie
Linus Ullmark, who went 15-14-5 in his first full NHL season with a 3.11 goals-against average and .905 save percentage, has his hearing scheduled. Ullmark made $750K last season.
Arbitration will conclude for Buffalo on August 4 with the
Jake McCabe hearing. The 25 yr. old defenseman played in only 59 games last season because of injury posting four goals, 10 assists and minus-4 rating. McCabe just completed the second season of a 2yr./$3.2 million bridge deal but only played in 112 of a possible 164 games during that time.
Any or all of the remaining cases could be settled beforehand with both sides coming to a contract agreement prior to the scheduled hearing.
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