A behind-the-scenes video released by the Buffalo Sabres last weekend revealed that the primary focus of the signings free agent winger Justin Danforth and goalie Alex Lyon to two-year deals was the pair’s character and energy in the locker room and on the ice, but it is still an open question whether GM Kevyn Adams made enough improvements to make the Sabres a playoff competitor next season.
Lyon spent last season with Detroit, going 14-9-1, with a 2.81 GAA and .896 save % $1.5 million per season, purportedly to backup starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen while Devon Levi spends another year in AHL Rochester. The 32-year-old will be in the mix for playing time and push Luukkonen, who had a subpar campaign (24-24-5, 3.20 GAA, .887 save %) in the first year of a five-year deal.
“You may ask your own players, ‘hey, have you ever played with this guy? What’s he like?’ and across the board, all you hear on Alex Lyon is that he’s an incredible character teammate, (with) work ethic and competitiveness," Adams said. “(He’s) all-in, he wants to win.”
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Danforth had 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 61 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and signed a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.8 million and seemed to get a stamp of approval from Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who liked the veteran forward’s tenaciousness, and from former Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
“He’s a very smart player. He’s a really good pro.” Kekalainen said. “You get in the locker room….the guy is accountable.”
Danforthis expected to slot in on the fourth line, something that the Sabres struck out addressing in free agency one year ago. Nicolas Aube-Kubel played just 19 games in Buffalo and was later traded to the NY Rangers, Beck Malenstyn had only 10 points and was -16 last season after the Sabres traded a second round pick for him before the 2024 Draft, and Sam Lafferty had just seven points in 60 games and was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks last month.
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