Thanks to a reminder tweet today from Cap Friendly, the Buffalo Sabres have a deadline looming on June 1st with three of their prospects. If they remained unsigned by 5 PM EST on June 1, the Sabres will lose their rights to these players.
The first is 2016 fifth-round pick (130 overall) Vojtech Budik. The Czech defender had a career season with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL with 14 goals and 41 points in 63 games. He also represented the Czech Republic at the U20 World Junior Championship this year in Buffalo.
Brandon Hagel, the Sabres sixth-round pick (159 overall) in the 2016 draft is another prospect who remains unsigned. An injury slowed down the early part of his season, but the 19-year-old forward still managed to score 18 goals and 59 points in 56 games for the Red Deer Rebels this season.
The last player is East Aurora native Austin Osmanski. The big defender was selected in the seventh round (189 overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. It was a cool story when he was drafted, but it’s unlikely that Osmanski will get a contract offer from the Sabres.
In fact, it may be unlikely any of these players see a contract offer with only 10 days until the deadline and none of them being a draft pick of current general manager Jason Botterill.
If you want an unsigned player from another team to keep an eye on, look no further than Florida Panthers 2016 second-round pick Adam Mascherin. The scoring winger has already informed the Panthers that he will not sign with them.
Florida was said to be looking to deal him, but unless something comes together quickly that appears unlikely at this point.
Mascherin won’t hit the free agent market, but instead he’ll re-enter the draft next month like the three aforementioned Sabres prospects if they remained unsigned by the deadline.
You can find the full list of players from the Cap Friendly tweet below:
Comments
OT - Kane
- Sportsnet
(https://twitter.com/sportsnetirf/status/999062077246324736?s=19)
By Calvin on 05.22.18 7:45pm
Hello 1st round pick!
Thank you Kaner!
By Calvin on 05.22.18 7:48pm
I’d like either Budik or Hagel but definitely won’t be disappointed if none of them sign with us.
Mascherin would be worth a gamble on. I have no problem giving up a 5th rounder or something for him. With the prospect of playing with Reinhart, Ristolainen, Eichel, ROR and now Dahlin I think he’d be sold on signing with Buffalo. I’m sure he notices that this club needs wingers.
By SickMitts on 05.22.18 7:49pm
I would like mascherin as well...
Theres no reason not to like a second round talent thats closer to the nhl already than a 5th rounder would be. If i was botts id explore that, as its a cheap use of getting asset
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:29am
He was picked with the Sabre selection traded with Pysyk
By drwho62 on 05.23.18 12:02pm
Still sad about that
Less sad if Asplund pans out.
By Kallinan on 05.23.18 9:35pm
During the 2016 Draft Season I made some sort of wager with T McGee
Where I said Mascherin would be better than Asplund. Having them on the same team would be high comedy for that memory.
By Austin Brass on 05.23.18 12:30pm
When Does That Wager Come To Term?
By T McGee on 05.24.18 9:00am
I can't even remember what I wagered
let’s just say it’s a for a pint if we ever do a DBTB meetup and will come to term when said DBTB meetup ever happens
By Austin Brass on 05.25.18 1:15pm
Deal!
(again?)
By T McGee on 05.25.18 7:55pm
The only one I'd be disappointed in losing would be Budik.
By Ogre39666 on 05.22.18 9:27pm
Would suck to lose a defense prospect for sure
But I think Hagel might be something too.
By hatzappar on 05.22.18 10:07pm
He really came on during the second half of the season. Sign him Botts !
By wolfdoctor on 05.22.18 10:10pm
He did not look out of place at the World Juniors against Sweden
While he did not have any "wow" plays, he did not have any face palm gaffes either. Good enough for a chance.
By drwho62 on 05.23.18 7:46am
Peep my fanpost on hagel if you havent read
I predicted hagel wouldnt get a contract but i personally like him….
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:35am
I was referencing Budik
By drwho62 on 05.23.18 12:03pm
I'm A Big Budik Fan.
By T McGee on 05.24.18 9:01am
Hopefully i can finish my writeup
For budik before we hear any news so i can make a prediction. I did one for hagel….if you havent read it. i wanted to get it done before the time came for botts to decide and started writing it but published the blackwell fan post first. My take, could never use too many dmen and his offense has really come along this past season, i am hoping for elc for him
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:33am
thank you Chad
for the update and the list of drafted players who’s teams rights are to expire. I’ve watched Adam Mascherin for the past four years and,despite the fact my first priority for drafted prospects is skating speed, I would sign him. He has been well over a point per game for the past three seasons and although not quick he is otherwise a good skater (great edges) and he thinks the game at a very high level…a good shot…great puck distributor…and is a good example of a 5’10 player being big…he is built like a tank.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/240112/adam-mascherin
By SenecaNation4 on 05.23.18 9:35am
I know he told the Panthers he isn’t signing with them, but does that make him a UFA or does he have to re-enter the draft?
By pozzed51 on 05.23.18 10:25am
Redraft
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:29am
Senecanation4
I also have watched Kitchener more than some ohl teams….i liked the mean streak of connor hall, he was physical solid defensively but wont ever impress with points as hes strictly a shut down type with good size. Hes also a redraft guy if not signed….with pittsburgh….as a third rounder and botts connection would you take a flier on him? Having watched kitchener more than myself any more detailed insight on him?
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:42am
Connor Hall
Fortunately I live in an ideal spot to catch Kitchener Ranger, Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm games…in a pinch I will sometimes fight traffic and go to games in Mississauga. With the Kitchener Rangers the biggest draw for myself was the Flyers draft pick Connor Bunnaman. My 19 year old played with him and with the Rangers having a good team it was an easy decision. Re. Connor Hall, his upside is a third pairing defensive specialist. Needless to say he is a very big guy who plays a very big intimating style. As much as smaller fleet d’man are the rage, there is still a need for strong stay at home defenseman; ie Brooks Orpik. For a big dude, his skating is adequate and I agree he would be worth the gamble.
By SenecaNation4 on 05.24.18 9:31am
hudson elynuik
Is another guy id take a look at, 6-5 200…3rd round pedigree….has a decent floor as a bottom six guy….the only other guy i might be interested in is Jordy Stallard as i seemingly remember him being projected as a potential 3rd rounder but fell to the fifth. Obviously i would only throw maybe a six/7th for elynuik if they like his play. In my opinion these arent guys id redraft unless it was very late rounds, but flipping a seventh for a 3rd round guy is a risk worthy flier imo. I would love mascherin’s bowling ball style, i think he has a good shot. Hes definitely worth a flier for a 5th, i might even throw one of the 4ths, getting a second round talent whos closer to nhl ready than a random 4th round guy who will be years down the road, is a good move any time imo. But look what happened with connor bleakley 1st round pick (23 overall) who went back into the draft and was picked in the 5th and has basically only played in the echl. So you never know with these guys. (Colorado simply let him walk to pick up a comp pick for not signing a 1st rounder) I think the panthers want mascherin back is the difference.
By Southerntiersabresfanatic on 05.23.18 10:58am
Love Elyniuk
Carolina would be silly not to sign him.
By T McGee on 05.24.18 9:03am