25-year-old defenseman was acquired from Chicago in June in the Bowen Byram deal
The Buffalo Sabres continue to proactive in getting their own players signed to long-term extensions prior to them getting close to becoming unrestricted free agents. Previously, GM Jarmo Kekalainen has done so with forwards Zach Benson, Josh Doan, Beck Malenstyn, and Noah Ostlund. On Thursday, prior to the regular season opener in Columbus, the club announced the signing of defenseman Louis Crevier to a four-year, $16 million contract extension.
The big 25-year-old blueliner was obtained just prior to the NHL Draft from the Chicago Blackhawks along with the fourth overall pick (Daxon Rudolph), and a second round pick (later flipped to Anaheim for Olen Zellweger) for defenseman Bowen Byram.
The 6’8” 236 lb. righty defenseman was entering the final year of a two-year, $1.8 million bridge deal ($900,000 AAV) after scoring 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in 78 games for the Hawks in a top four role, so the new deal with the Sabres will begin at the start of next season.
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“(I’m) just really happy. I think it’s something I’ve worked for a while now, and I’m just super glad that it’s behind me. Just having stability is just going to help me a ton to play hockey.” Crevier said on Thursday. “At the end of the day, we are hockey players, I just want to play hockey. If a team wants me for five more years, I couldn’t really refuse it.”
Crevier had one more year of control before qualifying for unrestricted free agency in 2028, so the new deal buys three UFA years.
The Sabres take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in their season opener at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. The club got some good news regarding the health of defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who will start after being listed as week-to-week with a lower body injury during the preseason.
Blueliner Olen Zellweger was placed on injured reserve on Thursday and Dennis Gilbert was recalled from AHL Rochester. Zellweger according to Ruff on Wednesday has still not cleared concussion protocol, but could be available as soon as Saturday for the home opener against Byram and the Crevier’s former team, the Blackhawks.
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