Josh Doan has agreed to a seven-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres, securing his place with the team through the 2032-33 NHL season. The deal, announced Wednesday, carries an average annual value of $6.95 million. Doan was previously set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season.
Doan spoke about his experience playing in Buffalo after a recent win against Anaheim, saying, “You can feel the energy off every play. We were told coming here that, when you’re winning, it’s the best place to play, and you’re starting to feel that.”
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen commented on Doan’s impact: “Josh is a player that impacts the team both on and off the ice. He works hard, is competitive and skilled, and his game is going to continue to develop. We believe he will be a core piece of this team moving forward and I am excited to have him as a Buffalo Sabre long term.”
Buffalo acquired Doan from Utah during the past offseason in a trade that also brought defenseman Michael Kesselring in exchange for forward JJ Peterka. Since joining the Sabres, Doan has focused on improving his offensive output by studying top net-front scorers and taking on a key role in the team’s power play.
Tage Thompson, who has trained with Doan during summers in Arizona and played alongside him at last year’s IIHF World Championship, praised Doan’s skills: “Obviously I’m biased because I train with him in the summer, but he does have skill and can score. It’s just not what his role’s been at the NHL level so far. But he’s one of those guys that will go to war for you and do anything to help the team win. That’s what we need. I think both those guys bring that edgy playoff hockey to the regular season, which is going to help us make the playoffs.”
At this point in the season, Doan ranks third among Sabres players in goals (15) and fourth in assists (20) and points (35), all career highs for him. His 35 takeaways lead all NHL players this season.
According to Stathletes data cited by the team, when Doan is on ice at 5-on-5 play this season, Buffalo controls 54.9 percent of expected goals—the highest mark among Sabres skaters.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff highlighted Doan’s effort following a recent victory over Anaheim: “Pure effort,” Ruff said. “… That’s just determination. That’s not quitting on a play. That’s tracking back, getting under his stick. It was just a great play.”
Ruff also compared Doan’s work ethic and skillset favorably with Hall of Famer Jason Pominville after another recent win.
With Doan signed long-term, three other Sabres—Kesselring along with forwards Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs—are set for restricted free agency this summer.
