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The Buffalo Sabres certainly have a different-looking roster than they did at the end of the 2025-26 season. Players like Alex Tuch, Bowen Byram, Jordan Greenway, Logan Stanley, and Luke Schenn are no longer with the club. The Sabres have also added some players like Olen Zellweger, Louis Crevier, and Conor Sheary.
Yet, when looking at the Sabres' current roster, they should be open to adding more players before the start of the season. It would not hurt for them to invite a player or two to training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) because of it.
One UFA forward who could make sense for the Sabres to take a gamble on with a PTO is forward Curtis Lazar.
Lazar spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers, where he served as a bottom-six depth forward. In 45 games with the Pacific Division club in 2025-26, he posted four goals, two assists, six points, and 95 hits. Overall, the 2013 first-round pick would likely not offer the Sabres a lot of offense if signed. While this is the case, he would provide them with another solid fourth-line option who plays a heavy game and can kill penalties.
Yet, even if Lazar earned a contract with the Sabres and was an extra forward for them, he would still have the potential to be a solid addition to their group. It is no secret that injuries occur during the season, and it would not hurt Buffalo to have the 31-year-old forward around for insurance.
While Lazar would not be brought in for his offense, he posted 25 points in 71 games for the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24. That is not very long ago, so he could be an interesting bounce-back candidate for the Sabres to consider taking a gamble on.
Curtis Lazar and the Sabres have history together
Another reason why it would be interesting to see the Sabres sign Lazar to a PTO or a contract for the season is that he has already played for Buffalo in the past. From 2019-20 to 2020-21, Lazar was a member of the Sabres before he was traded to the Boston Bruins with Taylor Hall ahead of the 2021 NHL trade deadline.
In 71 games over two seasons with the Sabres, Lazar posted 10 goals, 19 points, and 134 hits. Overall, he was a serviceable bottom-six forward during his time in Buffalo, and it would make for a cool story to see him return on a PTO.
It will be interesting to see if the Sabres give Lazar a chance. While he would not be the biggest of additions if signed, he could give Buffalo's forward depth a nice little boost.
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This article was originally published on sabrenoise.com as This Sabres PTO target would be the perfect bottom-six complement.
