Rick Osentoski – US PRESSWIRE
The Buffalo Sabres seem to be going back to a familiar face to help shore up their center depth.
Adler Mannheim has reported that the Sabres have agreed to a one year deal with Jochen Hecht for the lockout shortened season.
Nothing is finalized yet, as NHL teams are still unable to sign players until the CBA is ratified by the players by Saturday morning, but this move has been telegraphed since Sabres’ captain Jason Pominville championed Hecht’s resigning when he returned to Buffalo from Germany.
While some may not be happy with this move, it makes a lot of sense for the Sabres. Realistically, given his injury history the past two seasons, Hecht is probably making somewhere in the $1 million range for the season. Given the $70.2 million salary cap for the year, the Sabres have plenty of room to take a one year flier on him.
He also serves as a mentor to the younger centers that will be in camp next week like Cody Hodgson and Mikhail Grigorenko, showing them the system and life in Buffalo.
Hecht played extremely well for Adler Mannheim, totaling five goals and 13 points in six games for the Eagles.
Updates will be passed along as they become available.
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It seems the uncertainty regarding the Sabres’ season opener has been alleviated.
The Buffalo News has reported the Sabres will open at the First Niagara Center against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 20 at 12:30pm. The game will be on NBC.
The league itself will begin play on January 19, but one team in each conference will sit out of the action because of the in conference schedule the NHL has decided on and the fact that there are 15 teams in each conference.
So, despite having to wait another day for the Sabres to start their season, Buffalo fans can enjoy a full slate of 14 games on the 19th, as well as a nationally televised game to start the season.
Just get those radios fired up so you can enjoy your first dose of newly minted Hall of Famer Rick Jeanneret.
Follow me on Twitter for NHL and Sabres news throughout the season: @SwordPlay18
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The Sabres Store has likely found a way to make even the most – justifiably – ornery fan smile: 50% off.
The Sabres Store will offer 50% off all merchandise through training camp and the team’s home opener on January 20th as a token of good faith towards the fans that toiled in the lockout purgatory.
Check Sabres.com for the Sabres Store hours to take advantage!
