Mikael Granlund (Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/22e6fb2a-58e6-453b-a6f2-3715cefc0089.jpeg] Mikael Granlund (Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Images) The Buffalo Sabres [http://thn.com/buffalo] need to be a significantly different team next season. Whether it's via free-agency or trades, the changes to Buffalo's roster have to be extensive. And Mikael Granlund -- a veteran center who revitalized his NHL career with the Dallas Stars [http://thn.com/dallas] this season -- should definitely be a free-agent target for the Sabres. At the beginning of this season, Granlund was languishing on a bad San Jose Sharks [http://thn.com/sanjose] team. The 33-year-old was banished to the Sharks after a terrible stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins [http://thn.com/pittsburgh], posting only one goal and five points in 21 games with the Pens in 2023. But he found his game again in a year-and-a-half with the Sharks, generating 30 assists and 45 points in 52 games with San Jose this year -- and he did it on a relatively-decent contract that paid him $5-million per season [https://puckpedia.com/player/mikael-granlund]. But once the Stars acquired him Feb. 1 in a deal that sent a first-round draft pick to the Sharks, Granlund looked reborn, putting up 14 assists and 21 points in 31 regular-season games. And he was one of Dallas' best playoff performers, amassing five goals and 10 points in 18 games. "The Big Show" And now, Granlund hits the open market. He won't break the bank, but this is a scenario in which the Sabres have to be aggressively proactive to outbid other teams for Granlund's services. Whether it's offering him one more year of contract term than he'd get somewhere else, or giving him a per-season offer that is better than any rival team's, Buffalo has a chance to bring in a veteran who can be one of the leaders in the dressing room, and a solid second-or-third-line center who will make the Sabres' youngsters better. And given that Buffalo has approximately $23.2-million in cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/buffalo-sabres], bringing in Granlund should't be an issue for the Sabres. The Stars don't have the cap space to bring back Granlund, so the question here is which team can sell Granlund on being a key component. And Granlund wouldn't have to do all the heavy lifting in Buffalo. He could come in, be a professional and a great example for Sabres players to follow. And if he doesn't like the fit in Western New York, Granlund could be dealt at the next trade deadline for draft picks and prospects that would help Buffalo's future. Sabres Moving On From Rising Free Agent Star Would Be A Disastrous Decision [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3ca157c1-ded7-414e-8e19-8bac34fd40a5.jpeg] Sabres Moving On From Rising Free Agent Star Would Be A Disastrous Decision After 14 years of missing the Stanley Cup playoffs, the <a href="http://thn.com/buffalo">Buffalo Sabres</a> have to change up their lineup. However, this organization cannot afford to play fast-and-loose with most of their assets -- and that includes up-and-coming left winger J.J. Peterka. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-moving-on-from-rising-free-agent-star-would-be-a-disastrous-decision] But that's a long time from now. In the short-term, Granlund would be able to offer his veteran knowhow and his still-solid offensive talents to the Sabres. When it's unlikely a top-tier free agent will sign with Buffalo, a second-tier asset like Granlund would be just what the doctor ordered for the Sabres. And it wouldn't cost them anything other than the cap space it takes to sign him. That's important here as well. Ultimately, Granlund could decide he wants to use his remaining NHL time on a team that's better-positioned for a long playoff run than Buffalo is at the moment. But that's the challenge for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams -- he needs to convince at least a couple veteran free agents that there's a meaningful place for them in Buffalo. And again, we're not talking massive money for Granlund. In a rising salary cap world, giving Granlund something in the same area of what he made this year wouldn't be an egregious overpayment. The sell-job here is convincing Granlund he can help guide this Sabres team into a more prosperous era. And that should be something that's doable. Kekalainen's Hiring Another Sign Sabres GM's Time Could Be Nearing An End [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d0444d88-b7b8-44d2-85c6-c2435051e9cb.jpeg] Kekalainen's Hiring Another Sign Sabres GM's Time Could Be Nearing An End When the <a href="http://thn.com/buffalo">Buffalo Sabres</a> announced Friday that former Columbus Blue Jackets GM <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-add-former-gm-kekalainen-as-senior-advisor">Jarmo Kekalainen was joining the team as a special advisor to GM Kevyn Adams</a>, a couple things became clear: firstly, it showed Kekalainen will be a highly-valued voice in the organization; but more importantly, it showed that Adams is more on the clock than ever -- and that Adams may have just hired the man who will succeed him if things don't go well for the team. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/kekalainen-s-hiring-another-sign-sabres-gm-s-time-could-be-nearing-an-end] The trickle-down effect Granlund would have on the Sabres' group of forwards would be considerable. He'd make Buffalo a more competitive environment, and that's precisely what Adams should be aiming for with any addition he makes. Granlund checks a lot of the boxes for the Sabres, and a quick strike in the UFA market next month could make Buffalo the winner in the Granlund sweepstakes. When other teams are fighting for Maple Leafs [http://thn.com/toronto] star Mitch Marner, the Sabres can swoop in, pitch a notable deal for Granlund, and come away with an asset who makes the team better. Adams' challenge is clear here, because if he can't persuade a player like Granlund to come to Buffalo, Adams needs to step aside in favor of a better persuader. Granlund is there for the taking, and the Sabres need to make him an offer he can't refuse.
