Sabres Summer Free Agent Target – Jordan Martinook
31-year-old winger had 14 goals with Carolina this season
Sabres Summer Free Agent Target – Jordan MartinookThe Buffalo Sabres face a season where accountability will be stressed under head coach Lindy Ruff and areas of need will have to be addressed by GM Kevyn Adams for the club to snap their 13-year playoff drought. We have been taking a look at players who could be potential trade targets this summer over the last few weeks in advance of a year that has to be considered playoffs or bust, but now we will take a look at who the Sabres could potentially be pursuing when the free agent market opens up on July 1.
Buffalo is not likely to pursue big-ticket players like Jake Guentzel or Elias Lindholm, as they will be pursuing long-term big-money contracts, but they will be looking for role players with size and two-way ability that can be signed for a lesser term and cap hit.
Jordan Martinook – Left/Right Wing (Carolina Hurricanes)
Stats: 32 points (14 G, 18 A) in 82 games, 4 points (2 G, 2 A) in 11 playoff games
2023-24 Salary - $1.8 million
Along the lines of the Sabres looking to add bigger, tougher and more versatile forwards to play roles in their bottom six, the veteran Martinook could be a good fit in providing some leadership, experience, and the ability to play special teams.
A 2012 second-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, Martinook spent his first four seasons in the desert before being traded to the Hurricanes in 2018. In his first year, he scored a career-high 15 goals and established himself as a leader, being named as an alternate captain. The next three seasons were hampered by injuries and illness, but the last two years, he played 82 games and scored in double figures and over 30 points each year.
Like with teammate Stefan Noesen, the Canes may have interest in bringing Martinook back, but Carolina has certain price points they prefer to maintain for players over the age of 30 and that could lead to the 31-year-old playing elsewhere.
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