NHL Rumors: Sabres Targeting 2 Big Free Agents

As the Buffalo Sabres feel they are approaching the end of their rebuild, they are looking to add some more impactful pieces to their lineup in free agency to help them succeed. Per Chad DeDominicis, the Sabres are looking at goaltender Jack Campbell and defenseman P.K. Subban.

We'll take a look at the situation surrounding Campbell first. The Toronto Maple Leafs came in very low in contract discussion and offered Campbell $2.75 million per season initially based on reports by Elliott Friedman. Campbell's camp is wanting north or $4.5 million a season, and with his performance the past two and a half seasons with the Maple Leafs, I think he's earned the substantial pay raise to be the starter.

The Sabres have more than enough money to throw a little extra at Campbell if a deal isn't struck between him and the Maple Leafs and he hits free agency. The Sabres' goaltending situation is weak right now as they were fully expecting to rebuild last season, but they have a couple of young studs on the horizon in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. They also have five goaltenders that were in the mix (Craig Anderson, Aaron Dell, Dustin Tokarski, Malcolm Subban, and Michael Houser) all set to hit free agency so the opportunity is now for the team to go out and secure a goaltender for next season and the future.

As for P.K. Subban, the Sabres don't have any defenseman over the age of 25 signed after this season, so a veteran presence that has had success in his career would be beneficial. Despite Subban falling off over the past four seasons despite being in the Norris Trophy conversation for a number of years before that, he is still effective in a lower role. He won't give the Sabres a number one right-handed defenseman, but that's not that they need.

Their young players are more than capable of handling the workload and will get the experience by playing more with less expectations thrown at them. Subban also won't be making $9 million a season, so the spotlight and criticism will be much less towards him. At age 33 once the season starts, maybe he can find some of his old spark playing alongside talented young players.