Buffalo Sabres: Matt Moulson finished in Buffalo
By Paul Taylor
The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly expected to buy out Matt Moulson, thus bringing an end to a disappointing tenure in Western New York.
The 2013-14 season was a hectic and demanding one for Matt Moulson. He was traded twice and played for three teams, including the Buffalo Sabres.
During his stint in Buffalo, Moulson scored 29 points in 44 games. As such, despite the Sabres trading him to the Minnesota Wild in March 2014, he had done enough to impress them.
This resulted in the winger signing a five-year, $25 million contract in July of the same year, to return to Western New York. The deal was generally perceived positively at the time, as the Sabres were getting a three-time 30-goal scorer, consistent player for excellent value.
Now, Moulson is expected to be bought out by the Sabres, as per a report from Kevin Paul Dupont. The Boston Globe columnist writes that this will happen when the two-week emancipation begins on June 15.
This marks an unsatisfactory end to the 34-year-old’s time in Western New York. The 2017-18 season marked the first time he failed to register a single point at the NHL level.
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After playing just 14 games for the Sabres, Moulson cleared waivers. However, Buffalo didn’t even want him playing for their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, so he was loaned to the Ontario Reign.
If and when the North York, Ontario native is bought out, Dupont notes he will be paid $2.62 million over two years, to clear the balance of what is owing to him. As for the Sabres, Brian La Rose of Pro Hockey Rumors writes they will incur cap hits of $3.67 million and $667,000 in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
Things had started well enough for Moulson in Buffalo, as he scored 41 points in 77 games during the 2014-15 campaign. Even the fact this represented a career low didn’t seem an issue, as the Sabres were intentionally tanking for the chance to draft Connor McDavid.
However, when the 2003 263rd overall draft pick set another career low with 21 points the following season, it was clear something wasn’t right. Suddenly, the versatile, instinctive scorer was looking ineffective, not helped by the reality his defensive game was only ever adequate.
Moulson did improve slightly in 2016-17, but the writing was now on the wall. And it soon became apparent this past season, that new coach Phil Housley had little use for a player who was evidently on the downside of his career.
In fairness to the Los Angeles King player, he can be proud of everything he’s achieved, given he was a ninth round draft pick. Now though, he will likely have to accept a two-way contract, when he hits the open market.
Next: Sabres' fortunes continue to change for the better
What is your overall take on Moulson’s time with the Buffalo Sabres? Do you think his NHL career is over? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.