Is Cody Hodgson worth the gamble?

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Sticking with the theme of the day, the Sabres signed Cody Hodgson to a six-year $25.5 million deal. Under the new terms, he’ll earn an average cap hit of $4.25 million per season. By locking up the 23-year old center, Buffalo has invested in a player they feel is a big part of the future.

Acquired from Vancouver for Zach Kassian on February 27, 2012, Hodgson registered 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points in 48 games with the Sabres in 2013. The 34 points placed second in team scoring trailing only Thomas Vanek. With Vanek expected to depart following the final year of his contract, Buffalo is committing to a youth movement. It’s still a risky strategy that could strip the team of being competitive for years. Number one goalie Ryan Miller is also playing the last year of his contract and could be jettisoned. Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier did well last deadline selling Jason Pominville high to Minnesota for goalie Matt Hackett, Johan Larsson, a 2013 first round pick (Nikita Zadorov) and a 2014 second round pick. If he can recoup similar assets for Vanek or Miller, Regier can speed up the Sabres’ rebuild. Buffalo prospects had a good tournament at Traverse City finishing second.

It’s interesting to note that Hodgson has totaled 77 points (35-42-77) over 139 games with Vancouver and Buffalo. He’s never posted more than 16 goals or 41 points. That came in 83 combined games between the Canucks and Sabres in ’11-12. While his point production increased, he’s far from a finished product. By comparison, Derek Stepan has nearly double totaling 140 points (56-84-140) in 212 contests over his first three seasons with the Rangers. He remains unsigned. Who would you rather have over the long haul? It’s a poll question above that also includes Devils center Adam Henrique ($4 million), the Leafs’ Nazem Kadri ($2.9 million) and Blues restricted free agent Alex Pietrangelo. Throw in Ryan McDonagh and Travis Hamonic and you got a pretty competitive poll.

The thing about the Sabres is they’ve operated like this in the past. It’s gotten them in trouble. They still owe Ville Leino $18 million over the next four seasons. Drew Stafford makes $4 million this year and next for being an inconsistent player. And what to make of former Calder winner Tyler Myers’ demise? Signed through 2018-19, he’s due $33 million over that span. His cap hit is $5.5 million. Unless Henrik Tallinder can work miracles, they’re stuck. As if that isn’t bad enough, Christian Ehrhoff is signed for another seven years at $28 million. At least the $4 million hit is getting some bang for its buck.

For better or worse, these are the Buffalo Sabres. The most puzzling franchise in the league. What exactly is the plan? I’ll leave the rest to resident Brian Sanborn. 😛