The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million deal on Monday, two days before he was set to become a free agent.
Malenstyn, 28, was acquired from the Washington Capitals ahead of the 2024-25 season. He has 24 regular-season points (11 goals, 13 assists) across his first two seasons in Buffalo, including a career-high seven goals in 2025-26.
Malenstyn largely made his presence felt in other areas. He set a franchise record this past season with 282 hits (fifth-most in the league) and finished second on the Sabres with 75 blocked shots.
He also recorded the fastest skating speed recorded in the NHL Edge era (since 2021-22) when he reached a speed of 24.94 mph in a March game against the Capitals.
“Being somebody that tries to play that heavy, hard, fast, physical game all the time, I think there are moments where you maybe create a little bit more space for yourself and don’t take advantage of them,” Malenstyn said. “… I think I was able to take a step in that direction this year, create a little bit more offense when I was on the ice.”
His new average salary of just over $2.9 million annually more than doubles his previous salary with Buffalo ($1.35 million).
Malenstyn helped the Sabres snap an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought this past season, with the run coming to an end in the second round against the Montreal Canadiens.
