On Thursday the Buffalo Sabres announced that the team has signed forward Evan Rodrigues to a two-year deal worth $1.3 million ($650,000 per year.) The first year of Rodrigues' new contract is a two-way deal, before becoming a one-way deal in 2018-2019.
Does Evan Rodrigues count? I also get very annoyed that autocorrect chances Rodrigues to Rodriguez every time. https://t.co/FwUYkkU8A4
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) June 29, 2017
Rodrigues, 23, split last season with the Sabres and Rochester Americans of the AHL. With Buffalo, Rodrigues tallied six points (4G, 2A) in 30 games. In Rochester, Rodrigues scored nine goals and added 21 assists (30 points) in 48 games played.
Bové's take:
This makes sense for the Sabres because there is very little risk involved in the deal. At times, Rodrigues looked like a legitimate full-time NHL player with upside and versatility. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, his play was inconsistent, especially in his defensive zone.
If you were to ask me right now I'd think Rodrigues is pencilled in somewhere on the Sabres opening night roster, perhaps as a fourth line center or winger. If that's the case, it's hard to knock a deal like this because if he develops into even just a third line player the Sabres will be getting a bargain. If he doesn't, he can go to Rochester as a veteran leader to help groom some of the younger players in the organization. It's not a flashy move, but it's a smart deal for the Sabres.
The #Sabres get cute and it works.
And Evan Rodrigues is still better than Derek Grant pic.twitter.com/Rty3IAEiwG
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 27, 2017
