Done Deal: Buffalo Sabres Sign 26-year-old forward to a two-year deal worth $1.35 million.

The Buffalo Sabres announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Beck Malenstyn to a two-year contract worth $1.35 million per season. On day two of the 2024 NHL Draft, Malenstyn was acquired from the Washington Capitals in exchange for the second-round pick used to select Cole Hutson. The contract leaves the Sabres with two restricted free agents to sign: Peyton Krebs and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Malenstyn and Luukkonen were the only Buffalo RFAs eligible for arbitration, both electing to head that route. The two-year deal means the Sabres avoid arbitration with Malenstyn, leaving the focus on their starting netminder. Salary arbitration hearings are set to run through August 4th, although the NHLPA has not made each player’s specific hearing date public as in years past.

Evolving-Hockey’s contract projections are based on recent trends and stat categories. They projected the most likely contract to be a three-year deal. Malenstyn was expected to net $1.568 million per season on a two-year deal, suggesting that the Sabres inked the big forward at a slight discount.

The Sabres now have what is supposed to be a completely new fourth line, with Malenstyn on the left wing, center Sam Lafferty, and right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Buffalo’s new trio adds a lot of speed and physicality to the mix, which is something the Sabres focused on this offseason.

Aube-Kubel was Malenstyn’s linemate in Washington last season, and the two were frequently used in defensive-zone starts and faceoffs. With defense as the priority, the two, along with center Nic Dowd, established one of the NHL’s best lockdown fourth lines.

Malenstyn joins Lafferty, Aube-Kubel, Jason Zucker, and Ryan McLeod as the new faces up front to bolster the forward group. The biggest backend addition to the team was local product Dennis Gilbert, who will battle for a spot with the Sabres.

Malenstyn recorded six goals and 21 points in 81 games last season for the Capitals.