The Ex-Files: Former Sabres Participating In The Stanley Cup Playoffs – Part II
Ten former Sabres could be potential contributors to Eastern Conference clubs in the playoffs starting Saturday
The Ex-Files: Former Sabres Participating In The Stanley Cup Playoffs – Part IIThe Buffalo Sabres held their end-of-season media availabilities this week and the news regarding the club will center on the replacement for former head coach Don Granato and what maneuvers GM Kevyn Adams plans to make leading up to the NHL Draft in Las Vegas.
The Rochester Americans, who made a run to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Final last spring, could make another lengthy playoff jaunt this year with goalie Devon Levi between the pipes, prospects such as Matthew Savoie could be playing for a Memorial Cup, and a number of former Sabres could be key contributors for other NHL clubs championship pursuits.
Here are the ex-Buffalo players on five of the Eastern Conference clubs:
Boston Bruins – Linus Ullmark
The former Vezina Trophy winner has lost the starting job to Jeremy Swayman and is serving as a high-paid backup for the Bruins. The former Sabre reportedly blocked a trade at the deadline with his no-trade clause and will likely only see action in the postseason if the younger Swayman falters.
Florida Panthers - Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, Evan Rodrigues, Dmitri Kulikov
The most impactful group of former Sabres in the league. Reinhart hit the 50-goal mark for the first time this season and will be relied upon as Florida’s main scoring threat. Montour was a scoring beast in the Panthers run to the Cup Final last season. He missed the first month of the season recovering from off-season surgery but finished with 33 points. Rodrigues and Kulikov joined the Panthers this season as veteran depth options.
New York Rangers – Jimmy Vesey
The former Hobey Baker Award winner has settled in nicely as a bottom-six checker in his second stint with the Rangers, scoring 13 goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning.- Brandon Hagel, Conor Sheary
Hagel was drafted by the Sabres in 2016 but did not get signed after two years in the WHL. After being traded from Chicago to Tampa in 2022, the 25-year-old has become an effective top-six forward, with 75 points (26 G, 49 A) this season. Sheary is a part-time depth forward, who has four goals in 57 games this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Jake McCabe, Ilya Lyubushkin
McCabe has become a mainstay as a top-four defenseman on the Leafs blueline, averaging over 20 minutes a game. Lyubushkin was acquired at the trade deadline from Anaheim and has partnered mostly with Morgan Rielly in his second stint with the Leafs.
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