Buffalo Sabres
· 2026-07-04
The Buffalo Sabres completed their four-day development camp with a three-on-three scrimmage on Thursday.
The Sabres signed big winger Aidan McDonough to a one-year, $850,000 contract, and forward Matthew Peca to a two-year AHL deal.
The signings aim to bolster the AHL Rochester Americans, following the trade of Anton Wahlberg to Anaheim.
The Amerks will undergo significant roster upheaval next season, with newcomers like Radim Mrtka, Maxim Strbak, and Jake Richard joining the club.
The Sabres have $8.6 million in cap space remaining after re-signing defenseman Olen Zellweger.
Rumors circulate about Buffalo native Patrick Kane joining the Sabres, who are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 50-23 record, on a L1 streak.
Kane's addition would fill the offensive gap created by Alex Tuch's departure, with the veteran winger posting 79 assists over the last two seasons.
The Sabres' GM Jarmo Kekalainen has room to add one player, with restricted free agent Peyton Krebs eligible for arbitration.
And the Sabres' current standing could make them an attractive option for Kane, who spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
But the question remains whether Kane wants to play in his hometown at the end of his career.
So the Sabres will have to wait and see if they can secure Kane's services.
The team's development camp showcased young talent, including Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund, who will likely join the Sabres full-time next season.
McDonough, 26, played four years at Northeastern University and scored 23 goals for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season.
Peca, 33, has played for four NHL clubs, starting with Tampa Bay in 2016, and mostly with Springfield and Syracuse in the AHL.
The Sabres' moves aim to strengthen their roster and make a push for the playoffs, with Kane's potential signing being a major factor in their success.