The Buffalo Sabres have signed free-agent forward Cody Eakin to a two-year $4.5 million contract, equalling $2.25 million per season. Eakin’s new contract carries him through the 2021-22 season.
Cody Eakin to BUF 2x $2.25.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 10, 2020
Cody Eakin Signs with the Buffalo Sabres
Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the 2009 NHL Draft, Eakin’s played for four NHL teams and most recently his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Eakin, 29, spent the end of his 2019–20 season with Winnipeg, coming home via a trade that sent a conditional fourth-round pick back to the Vegas Golden Knights. Eakin had one goal and four assists in eight games with the Jets, followed by four pointless qualifying round games.
In 586 NHL games, Eakin’s managed to score 103 goals and add 134 assists, totalling 237 points. His career-high in goals and points came in 2018–19 with Vegas, where he scored 22 goals and had 41 points. This was Eakin’s only 20-goal season in nine NHL campaigns.
Eakin’s suited up for 50 playoff games, scoring eight goals and tallying 11 assists. He was a member of the Golden Knights during their Stanley Cup run in 2017–18, played 20 postseason games.
What This Means for the Future
Eakin can play anywhere as high as a second-line centre or can drop down to a third or fourth-line checking role. Eakin held down the second-line centre spot for the majority of his stint in Winnipeg but is best suited in the bottom-six of a fully-healthy lineup. After Vegas plucked Eakin from the Dallas Stars in the expansion draft, Eakin seemed to thrive as a role player with a change of scenery — so another fresh start could be beneficial for Eakin.
Despite nearly 600 NHL games under his belt, Eakin still has a lot left in the tank. He’s shown to adapt to new roles on different teams and is typically a player who can chip in at least 15 goals while contributing on the penalty kill and checking units too. Eakin’s also played in at least 78 games in six of his last eight seasons. Given Eakin’s durability, the Sabres now has a versatile centre to look forward to for the majority of next season.
Main photo:
