Total Season Stats: 1G | 2A (3 PTS) in 18 games with the Sabres
Age: 25
Drafted: 2016, 4th round, 114th overall (by Florida Panthers)
Contract Status: Signed through 2023-24, $1.35 million
I’ll be honest: when the Sabres first traded for Riley Stillman back in February, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. His stats seemed to speak for themselves, and on the surface – and based on what I heard from Canucks fans – I wasn’t thrilled that the Sabres gave up a somewhat promising prospect in Josh Bloom for him.
It was more a question of… why make this trade? Why now?
"Very excited…he was head-to-toe in Sabres gear and ready to get going."
Riley Stillman is thrilled to be a Buffalo Sabre. 🙌 | @1LECOM pic.twitter.com/f5VwiWHsX9
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 1, 2023
Stillman would play 18 games for the Sabres over the next bit, and honestly? He seemed to fit right in, and in some situations, he was just what the team needed. He missed a bit of time with an upper-body injury after taking a pair of uppercuts to the face, but overall, he provided defensive depth and a physical/tough edge, and although it’s a small sample size, it worked out alright in the end.
Riley Stillman’s first goal as a Sabre is a beauty. pic.twitter.com/gUzlovEXke
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) March 28, 2023
At least in the short game, that is.
Stillman has one year left on his contract, so we’ll have to see where he fits into the plan come October. Clearly, there was a reason Kevyn Adams & co. went out and got him, and gave up Bloom for him. They clearly saw the potential fit, and now it’s up to him to make it stick.
Season Grade: B