The Buffalo Sabers have signed defenseman Louis Crevier to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4 million.
Crevier, 25, was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season. The extension keeps him in Buffalo through 2030-31.
“I’m really, really happy,” Crevier said. “I think it’s something that I’ve been working towards for a while now, and I’m just really happy that it’s behind me. And just having stability is going to help me play hockey tremendously.”
The Sabers acquired Crevier in June as part of the deal that sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks. A seventh-round pick in 2020, Crevier moved into a full-time role for Chicago last season, scoring 25 points (7+18) in a career-high 78 games.
Traded three months ago, the Quebec native had time to learn the names and games of his teammates before even arriving at training camp. And over the past few weeks, the 6-foot-8 right-handed defenseman has looked like a great all-around pick on Buffalo’s blue line. He earned high marks from coach Lindy Ruff for his performance in two preseason games and spent time alongside Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
“My first impression was that his puck movement was good,” Ruff said. “He defended well. So I think playing either of those guys is a good choice.”
Crevier described his approach as defense-focused — he recorded 124 hits and 95 blocked shots last season — but highlighted the offensive potential of the Sabres’ fast-paced system. His eight shots in two preseason games tied Tage Thompson for the team lead. And, like Thompson, Crevier has one of the most powerful shots in the NHL – his fastest last season, at 102.83 mph, fourth-most powerful in the league according to NHL EDGE.
“I don’t feel like I’ve reached my highest level in hockey,” Crevier said at the start of camp. “Last year was my first full year in the NHL, so I continue to improve. »
The increase in the salary cap has led to more and more players signing extensions at a young age, and as Crevier enters his fourth season in the NHL, the move was a “no-brainer” for him.
“At the end of the day, we’re hockey players and I just want to play hockey,” he said. “And if a team wants me for four – five more years this year – I can’t really turn it down.”
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