Mrtka was Buffalo's 2025 1st round pick (9th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres on Tuesday. The 18-year-old Czech defenseman spent 2024-25 as an import player with Seattle (WHL), where he excelled with three goals and 35 points in 43 games played. He is expected to return to the Thunderbirds for the 2025-26 season but will get a chance to make an impression in training camp.
Fiddler-Schultz is an undrafted 23-year-old forward and has earned himself a two-year, entry-level contract with Buffalo on Tuesday after a successful rookie campaign in Rochester (AHL) in 2024-25. The Edmonton native joined Buffalo's minor league system from Calgary (WHL) in 2023-24. In 51 games with Rochester in 2024-25, he had 13 goals and 26 points.
After putting up 70 points in 123 games played across the last two seasons with Rochester (AHL), Zach Metsa has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract to remain in Buffalo's organization. The 26-year-old defenseman is entering his third AHL season after joining Rochester as an undrafted free agent from Quinnipac University (NCAA) in 2022-23.
One season after putting up 21 points in 29 games played with San Diego (AHL), Carson Meyer has earned himself a two-year, $1.55 million contract ($775,000 AAV) with Buffalo. The 27-year-old last appeared in the NHL in 2023-24 but has two goals and six points in 41 career games played.
In his first season with the Buffalo Sabres in 2024-25, McLeod scored a career-high 53 points (20G / 33A) in 80 games. He returns to the Sabres on a four-year contract extension worth $5 million AAV. The 25-year-old McLeod will likely be relied upon for even more offensive production after the loss of JJ Peterka in the offseason.
Kozak made his NHL debut with the Sabres last season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in 21 games. The 22-year-old Kozak was drafted in the seventh round in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Sabres. He remains with the team on a three-year deal worth $775K AAV.
Danforth is an undrafted 32-year-old forward who did not make his NHL debut until the 2021-22 season, playing most of the three seasons since at the NHL level with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored 21 points (9G / 12A) in 61 games last season with the Blue Jackets.
Buffalo made its first move of Free Agency on Tuesday by bringing in backup goaltender Alex Lyon on a two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million AAV). The 32-year-old undrafted netminder had spent the last two seasons in Detroit, appearing in 70 games combined and had a 14-9-1 record, 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% last season.
Geersten was a fourth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but has been limited to only 25 NHL games, all with the New Jersey Devils in the 2021-22 season. The 30-year-old defenseman has spent the majority of his career in the AHL, including scoring five points (0G / 5A) in 31 games with the Henderson Silver Knights last season.
Philadelphia continued to add to its defensive depth on Tuesday after signing Dennis Gilbert to a one-year, $875,000 contract. The 28-year-old defenseman appeared in 29 games combined between Buffalo and Ottawa last season, picking up six assists, 50 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus. He is expected to compete for Philadelphia's final defensive spot in training camp ahead of the upcoming season.
