The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly extending a key piece of their depth, as Beck Malenstyn signs in Buffalo on a six-year deal worth a $3 million average annual value. That takes a top pending free agent off the board, and the Sabres clearly felt that keeping Malenstyn was worthwhile.
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I assume this will be finalized tomorrow, but hearing tonight that Beck Malenstyn will re-sign in Buffalo.
Around 6 x $3M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 29, 2026
Beck Malenstyn Signs With Buffalo For Six More Years
Malenstyn recorded seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 81 games for the Sabres last season, along with three points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In 262 career games with the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres, he has scored 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points. He was initially drafted by the Capitals, 145th overall, in 2016. During the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Capitals traded Malenstyn to Buffalo for a second-round pick, with which Washington drafted Cole Hutson, brother of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson.
What are the Sabres keeping around in Malenstyn? He is a gritty bottom-six winger who has excelled in his role in penalty killing, as well as being a strong power forward. He averaged 1:43 in penalty killing time per game, while Buffalo finished fourth in the NHL on the penalty kill last season at 81.9%. His offensive capabilities are limited, but he is a versatile player who can check hard, is strong in forechecking, and has shockingly fast skating. He ranked first in maximum skating speed, according to NHL Edge, at 24.94 miles per hour. Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid rounded out the top three in that stat, at 24.78 mph and 24.61 mph, respectively.
As for the contract, it may be a tad expensive right now, but with the salary cap going up, the contract will be quite solid in no time. With what he brings, Malenstyn likely could have been paid even more during free agency. Now that he is signed, the focus shifts to the remaining five unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents. The team has roughly $10.8 million in salary cap space remaining, and the two restricted free agents in Peyton Krebs and the recently acquired Olen Zellweger will likely be the priority to lock up.
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