Total Season Stats: 0G, 7A | 7 PTS | -9 | 10 PIM
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26, $900,000 AAV
I’ll start this off by being totally honest: I was surprised when the Sabres decided to re-sign Bryson earlier this year. Realistically, I think he could be replaced by another blueliner with more value, who brings more to the table, but alas – I’m not the GM here.
At the very least, Bryson isn’t as bad as he once was. (The bar is on the floor.) But he’s never going to be a top defender for the Sabres and this season, was scratched for the first 11 games his season and intermittently throughout the season. There isn’t a whole lot to say here – he played when a spot opened up, but otherwise found himself in the press box for almost half the season.
He ended the season with seven assists and has regularly put up between 7-10 points a season. This season featured his lowest average ice time of his NHL career to date, at 14:24/game. He ended up skating in 48 games, less than last season (36) but fewer than each of the two previous seasons. He also had a team-worst 3.52 on-ice goals against average.
Bryson is one of five NHL defensemen currently signed for next season, alongside Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson & Connor Clifton. Bowen Byram & Jacob Bernard-Docker will be restricted free agents.
Bryson will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. Perhaps it’s time to move on.
Season Grade: C-