The signing of Taylor Hall earlier this month began to raise questions about the Buffalo Sabres plan for next season. After adding the former Hart Trophy winner on a one-year $8 million deal, Buffalo settled with restricted free agent Sam Reinhart (1 year, $5.2 million AAV) and goalie Linus Ullmark (1 year, $2.6 million AAV) earlier this week and on Thursday locked up rookie Victor Olofsson on a two-year, $6.1 million deal.

The Sabres roster is currently at $78 million, which is well over what was speculated that ownership wanted to spend in a year when revenue would be in question. The area where GM Kevyn Adams could potentially shed some salary is on the blueline, with righties Brandon Montour (making $3.85 million) a year away from unrestricted free agency and Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.4 million AAV) with two years left.

Once UFA Sami Vatanen is signed, the top four defensive free-agent market is done, which could have clubs still looking for blueline help calling Buffalo.

more to come

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