On Thursday the Buffalo Sabres announced that forward Zemgus Girgensons has signed a two-year deal worth an average of $1.6 million per season. Girgensons, a 2013 first round draft, has spent four years with the Sabres, appearing in 277 career games.
In 2016-2017, Girgensons scored the fewest points of his four-year career [7G, 9A, 16P], despite appearing in 75 games, four more than he had played in any other season.
Bove's take:
Zemgus Girgensons is still only 23-years-old and that makes him worth the small-risk that comes with signing the forward to a two-year deal.
There's no denying that Girgensons has seen his play slip in the past two seasons. However, a new coach could change that.
Girgensons offers versatility, with the ability to play up the middle or on the wing. If he can return to his 2015 form, then Girgensons' contract will be a steal. If he can't it really doesn't hurt the Sabres because he'll be making just north of the league minimum.
It's smart to give a player who is still so young another chance. He's liked in the locker room and is already one of the more tenured players on the team.
Anytime the potential reward outweighs the risk involved I'm on board. Nice signing, Jason Botterill.
