The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks.
If the Sabres are looking to add a veteran that would play a style more conducive to head coach Lindy Ruff, someone who could play in their top six, and a player that is not signed to a long-term deal, the answer could be on the roster of one of their Atlantic Division foes. Big winger Josh Anderson bounced back from one of his worst offensive years to score 15 goals with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
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The 31-year-old played under Sabres senior advisor Jarmo Kekalainen his first six seasons in Columbus, where he scored a career-high 27 goals and established himself as a fearsome power forward. The Burlington, ON native was dealt after an injury-shortened season to the Habs in 2020, where he signed a seven-year deal at a $5.5 million AAV. Except his bad year two seasons ago, the 6’3”, 226 lb. Anderson has averaged 18 goals, and last season had a career-high 90 penalty minutes.
What Would It Cost?
The Canadiens are reportedly looking for a second-line center to take some of the pressure off of team captain Nick Suzuki. The Sabres are not likely to part with young Jiri Kulich or Josh Norris – in spite of his fragility, but Habs GM Kent Hughes might be looking for a place to unload Anderson’s cap hit to free up space to add a center. A player like Peyton Krebs could be of interest to Montreal with his feistiness in their bottom six, otherwise it is possible that a second or third round pick would be acceptable.
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