The Buffalo Sabres have signed AHL forward Taylor Leier to an NHL contract for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. The move will allow Leier to be recalled in times of need; with the trade deadline looming, it is assumed that general manager Jason Botterill is preparing to jettison unrestricted free agents, making room for Leier on the roster.
We have signed forward Taylor Leier to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000.
Details: https://t.co/2pRHniQd5b pic.twitter.com/vfSoqXNpZv
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 17, 2020
Leier has played 17 games for the Rochester Americans this season, hampered by a shoulder injury he sustained in late October. In his limited appearances, he’s produced seven goals and an assist.
Leier’s professional career began in 2014, when he garnered 31 points in 73 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He played a steady callup role for the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015-18, playing in 55 NHL games and scoring seven points. Leier played 39 games for the Flyers in 2017-18, the most of his career.
The fourth round pick came to Rochester last season in exchange for Buffalo native, Justin Bailey. In his 35 games for the Americans in 2019, he contributed 23 points and helped the team reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season, where they were swept by Toronto.
After the signing, Leier was immediately assigned to Rochester, but it is nearly certain he won’t remain there for long.