Sabres sign Dennis Gilbert to one-year contract
After trading Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Buffalo Sabres are bringing in some depth for their blueline.
On Wednesday, the Sabres signed defenseman Dennis Gilbert to a one-year, one-way contract, per Darren Dreger.
Dennis Gilbert agrees to 1 year, one way deal with Buffalo. $850,000.
The deal will carry a cap hit of $850,000.
This marks a homecoming of sorts for Gilbert, as he is a Buffalo native and he also had five assists in 25 games for the Sabres in the 2024-25 season.
Gilbert, 29, had just a brief stint in the NHL last season, putting up an assist in eight games for the Ottawa Senators. He began last season with the Philadelphia Flyers‘ organization as he signed with Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in July of 2025. After playing six games, and recording one assist, for the Flyers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he was traded to Ottawa in exchange for defenseman Maxence Guenette. In 31 games for the AHL’s Belleville Senators folllowing the deal, Gilbert had no goals and 12 assists.
Gilbert was initially selected by Chicago in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. After a three-year collegiate career with Notre Dame, he became a full-time professional in the 2018-19 season. He spent two season in the Blackhawks’ organization, playing a total of 22 NHL games in which he had a goal and two assists.
Just ahead of the 2020-21 season, Chicago traded Gilbert to the Colorado Avalanche along with forward Brandon Saad in exchange for defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm. Gilbert would play just three NHL games for the Avalanche, going pointless, before signing with the Calgary Flames as a UFA ahead of the 2022-23 season. IN 57 total NHL games with the Flames over two seasons, Gilbert had two goals and nine assists for 11 points.
Gilbert than signed with Sabres for the 2024-25 season, but was dealt to the Senators at the trade deadline as part of the deal involving Dylan Cozens and Josh Norris.
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