The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday that they have tendered contracts to seven restricted free agents.
We’ve tendered qualifying offers to these restricted free agents: Forwards Remi Elie, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson, Evan Rodrigues, C.J. Smith; defenseman Jake McCabe; goaltender Linus Ullmark. pic.twitter.com/ZQEyOjhSo7
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 25, 2019
With these seven qualifying offers extended, the Sabres retain the rights of each player.
If a team attempts to sign one of the seven aforementioned players, Buffalo will retain the right of first refusal.
Within the news of the seven offers extended comes the minor news story that four players now find themselves as unrestricted free agents.
Eric Cornel, Sean Malone, Jack Dougherty and Brycen Martin were left unqualified and have since become free agents.
In a quick turn of events, forward Sean Malone signed back on with the Rochester Americans to a one-year, AHL-only deal.
🖊️NEWS | We have signed forward @SeanMalone_13 to a one-year @TheAHL contract for the 2019-20 season.
📝: https://t.co/6V2WaEyHhb pic.twitter.com/OHle4uccsm
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) June 25, 2019