Death, taxes, and the Buffalo Sabres looking to improve their blue line during the offseason. Kevyn Adams hasn’t figured out that position for five years. They’ll get another shot at it this summer .

This may be the most work that whoever the general manager ends up being will have to do for the defense group. There are arguably only two or three defensemen on the roster that you’d be ok with seeing on the roster next season.

Top Defenseman on the Market

With Neal Pionk re-signing with the Winnipeg Jets, Vladislav Gavrikov moves to the top of the board for free agent defensemen this summer. The 29-year-old has spent the last two years with the Los Angeles Kings.

He has been an underrated top-four defender throughout his career. According to Evolving Hockey’s model, he has ranked 37th among all defensemen to play at least 400 minutes the last three years in on-ice shot quality against per hour at 5 on 5. He’s 47th in expected goal share at 5 on 5 over that same stretch.

The Russian-born defender would add some size to the Sabres’ blue line with his 6’3″ and 220 lbs. frame. He moves well and gets up in the play offensively in transition more often than you’d think.

Adrian Kempe finishes off the gorgeous passing play from Kuzmenko and Gavrikov for a terrific goal!#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/SbD6X6Lkep

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 31, 2025

Another skill set he would bring to the Sabres is an upgrade to their entry defense. The majority of their blue line graded poorly in that area this season. Historically, Gavrikov has been an above-average player in entry denial percentage, according to All Three Zones.

On the downside of his microstats, he’s inconsistent on zone exits. I’d prefer to see better numbers in that area, but his two potential partners on the Sabres roster are among the best in the league at exiting the defensive zone.

Gavrikov is a left-shot defender who is used to playing top-four minutes. He can play alongside either Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power next season. He’s one of the few players in the free agent market this summer that I’d be willing to give term and overpay market value to get him to Buffalo.

Data via: Evolving Hockey, All Three Zones, Hockeyviz

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