Does Sanderson Deal Provide Blueprint For Power?

One could argue that the Sens lost their wager on Chabot (who has never exceeded those totals since) and Norris (who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last October), but for smaller market franchises it is something they have to do to retain their potential stars.

Does Sanderson Deal Affect Sabres?

The Sabres have followed the same blueprint, signing forwards Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to long-term deals proactively after one good season. Rumors persist that GM Kevyn Adams is working on getting Rasmus Dahlin signed to an eight-year deal, making him one of the highest-paid defensemen in the NHL after posting a career-high 73 points last season, but the Sanderson deal could have an impact on what Buffalo would have to pay franchise cornerstone Owen Power on his next deal.

The 20-year-old former top pick had very similar stats to Sanderson as a rookie last season (4 goals, 31 assists in 79 games), is eligible to sign an extension entering the final year of his entry-level contract, and is represented by the same agent in Pat Brisson. Even though there have been indications that Power likes playing for Buffalo and wants to make a commitment to playing with the Sabres long-term, the contractual circumstances might be different. Power signing a two-or-three-year bridge deal would give him a greater portfolio to negotiate a deal closer to what Dahlin is expected to get (around $10.5 million per season).

The increase of the salary cap over the next two seasons might also factor into Power’s representative’s equation on his next deal and pressure on the Sabres will increase if the Calder Trophy finalist begins to score and dominate as many expect him to, and the fact that a division rival has been successful at getting their top blueliners locked up should send a signal to Adams that being proactive and getting Dahlin and Power extended is his highest priority.