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Sabres' Samuelsson: Bargain D-Man Earns Top Grade
20 Aug
Summary
- Mattias Samuelsson received an A+ grade for his outstanding performance.
- He set career highs in goals (13), assists (28), and points (41) last season.
- Samuelsson's contract, at $4.285 million annually, is considered a significant bargain.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has been awarded an 'A+' grade for his stellar performance during the 2025-26 season. This marks a significant improvement for the team, which had not seen playoff action for 15 seasons before their recent success.
Samuelsson, now in his prime, demonstrated considerable growth by playing a career-high 78 games and achieving personal bests with 13 goals, 28 assists, and 41 points. His average ice time increased to 22:50 per game, a notable rise from previous seasons, and his plus/minus rating of plus-41 was nearly triple his prior best.
At an annual salary of $4.285 million, running through the 2029-30 campaign, Samuelsson represents exceptional value. His contributions were crucial to the Sabres' strong performance, rivaling the ice time of young star Owen Power. This defensive prowess, combined with a high panic threshold, makes Samuelsson a vital component for the Sabres' future success.
The Sabres boast a formidable defense corps, featuring Dahlin, Power, and Samuelsson, which could contend with any other team in the league. With Samuelsson expected to maintain his current level of play, Buffalo is well-positioned to advance further in the playoffs in the upcoming 2026-27 season.
