Sabres Re-sign Connor Malenstyn to Six-Year, $18 Million Contract
Sabres re-sign winger Connor Malenstyn to a six-year, $18 million extension, keeping the 28-year-old forward in Buffalo through the 2031 season. The move secures depth scoring and physical presence for the Sabres’ lineup.
Connor Malenstyn agreed to a six-year, $18 million contract to remain with the Buffalo Sabres, according to Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman. The deal carries an average annual value of $3 million and locks in the 28-year-old forward who appeared in 81 games during the 2025-26 regular season. Buffalo announced the agreement as the club plans to preserve roster continuity after a deep playoff run.
Contract Details and Financial Terms
The reported six-year, $18 million pact equates to $3 million per season in average annual value. The structure gives Buffalo cost certainty for a player who has become a regular on the wing and provides Malenstyn with long-term security as he approaches his prime years.
Team salary-cap projections and contract timing were not disclosed, but the extension signals the Sabres’ willingness to invest in depth players who contributed during the 2025-26 campaign. The contract length suggests Buffalo values Malenstyn’s role beyond one- or two-year bridge terms.
On-Ice Contributions in 2025-26
Malenstyn appeared in 81 regular-season games in 2025-26, recording seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He also played in 13 playoff games, adding a goal and two assists, showing the club that he can handle an increased workload in high-pressure situations.
His usage profile over the season reflected steady deployment in middle-six roles where physical play and defensive responsibility were emphasized. Malenstyn’s availability — nearly a full slate of regular-season games — was a durability asset for Buffalo throughout the year.
Career Trajectory and Statistics
Since debuting in the NHL, Malenstyn has played 262 career games and accumulated 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points. The totals reflect a player whose value is measured as much by depth minutes and physical presence as by top-line scoring output.
At 28 years old, his career profile combines experience with incremental offensive production, and the Sabres’ decision to extend him suggests they anticipate sustained contributions in stability roles. His playoff appearances added further evidence that the organization trusts him in postseason matchups.
Draft and Trade Background
Malenstyn was selected 145th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL Draft. He remained in the Capitals’ system before being moved in the 2024 off-season to Buffalo in a transaction that included a second-round pick.
That pick ultimately became Cole Hutson, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. The trade and subsequent re-signing bookend a roster move that has now returned ongoing value to the Sabres through Malenstyn’s steady presence.
Implications for Buffalo’s Roster Construction
Locking Malenstyn in for six years provides Buffalo with a predictable element on the wing as the franchise balances young core development with veteran depth. The contract helps the Sabres manage forward depth while focusing resources on maintaining competitiveness in the Atlantic Division.
For the coaching staff, an extended-term middle-six winger allows clearer planning for line combinations and special teams allocation. The move also signals Buffalo’s preference for continuity after making strategic roster upgrades in recent seasons.
This extension keeps Connor Malenstyn in Buffalo as the Sabres aim to build on recent playoff momentum and maintain roster stability heading into the next season.
