Back in August, Sportsnet’s respected hockey broadcaster/journalist Elliotte Friedman talked on the 31 Thoughts Podcast show about a rumor he heard involving Buffalo Sabres restricted free agent defenceman Brandon Montour.
Discussing restricted free agency, Friedman mentioned that he heard there was a chance that the Sabres were going to walk away from one of their 11 restricted free agents in Montour, who was coming off a 5 goal, 18- point season.
Not long afterwards, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams denied those rumours, which proved to be inaccurate as Montour signed back with Buffalo on Saturday, October 10 to a one-year $3.85 million dollar deal.
Known for his puck moving pedigree and exceptional skating, this 26- year-old defenceman was traded just before the 2019 NHL trading deadline to Buffalo from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for fellow defenceman Brendan Guhle and a 2019 first round pick.
Since coming to Buffalo on February 24, 2019, Montour has played 74 total games with the Sabres where he has produced eight goals and 28 points.
Known for his offensive abilities, Montour was coming off a standout season which saw him score 14 goals and 62 points with Waterloo in the United States Hockey League, before finally realizing that ultimate dream of hearing his name being called in the second round, 55 overall by Anaheim at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
His first full season, which was the 2017-2018 campaign proved to be Montour’s most productive as he went on to score 9 goals and 32 points while defensively posting a +16 rating.
Despite Buffalo re-signing Montour, there is still speculation that he might be moved by next year’s NHL trade deadline, since Montour is a pending unrestricted free agent after next season. Obviously, Buffalo wouldn’t want to see him walk away with them getting nothing in return.
Currently, in his young career, Montour has played in 243 NHL games where he has produced 24 goals and 91 points along with a +20 defensive rating.
