The Buffalo Sabres signed free agent forward Riley Sheahan to a one-year contract worth $700,000. This contract carries him through the upcoming 2020-21 season.
We have signed Riley Sheahan to a one-year deal worth $700,000.
Details: https://t.co/guTjPF9pOt pic.twitter.com/9Y1zk5KJ9a
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 8, 2021
Riley Sheahan Signed by Buffalo Sabres
Over his nine-year NHL career, Sheahan has played for the Detriot Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, and Edmonton Oilers. Since entering the league, Sheahan has put up 66 goals and 98 assists for 164 career points in 513 career games. He was originally drafted in the first round, 21st overall by the Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Through 66 games last season, he scored eight goals and seven assists for 15 total points. He also added six minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 43.7 percent Corsi and Relative Corsi For of -5. According to CapFriendly, Sheahan is the first player brought in on professional tryout agreement to sign a contract for this upcoming season. He’ll add some size to the Sabres’ lineup with his 6′-3″, 214 pound frame.
What This Means for the Future
As a first-round pick, Sheahan has not necessarily lived up to what he was intended to be. Even though he has yet to play a full 82-game season. Riley Sheahan adds even more depth to his team and at a low price. Better known for his defensive play, Sheahan feels most comfortable in the defensive side of things. This past season in Edmonton, Sheahan finished second in defensive-zone starts with at least 40 games played.
With his d-zone starts at a staggering 67.7 percent, he also finished tied for fifth on the team in takeaways with 36. Not to mention, by the end of the season, he was top-10 in blocked shots as well with 33.
Overall, with great patience and poise in front of his own net. Sheahan will provide a calming presence in the defensive zone. Turning 29 in December, this will be Sheahan’s 10th season in the league.
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