Jordan Greenway sits at the center of Buffalo Sabres offseason planning because the club has only about $12 million in cap space and needs to decide whether it is shopping for a scorer or a different kind of forward. Bobby McMann has moved onto the list after a 29-goal season in 78 games, giving Buffalo a specific name to weigh against the slower, trade-heavy path.
McMann posted 29 goals and 17 assists in 2025-26, then landed a projection for a four-year deal with a $5,304,000 AAV. At 30 years old, he also logged 15:56 ATOI, a workload that fits a player already doing more than finishing chances.
McMann’s Toronto and Seattle line
The production came between Toronto and Seattle in 2025-26, and the split matters because it shows the scoring was not a one-off burst. He was described as one of the fastest skaters in the NHL and as an effective forechecker, two traits that help explain why his offense translated into a bigger role.
That profile gives Buffalo a clean fit test. If the Sabres want another winger who can score without demanding top-dollar star money, McMann belongs in the discussion before the market tightens around the more limited 2026 class.
Buffalo Sabres cap space
Before the summer, the Buffalo Sabres had roughly $12 million in cap space. That number narrows the margin for error and forces a choice between shorter-term flexibility and a longer commitment to one player.
The broader free-agent pool is not especially deep, so McMann stands out more than he might in a stronger year. Even so, Buffalo may prefer trades over free agency in the next few weeks, which keeps him in the frame but does not make him the answer by himself.
Alex Tuch and Beck Malenstyn
Part of the decision runs through Alex Tuch and Beck Malenstyn. If Buffalo is trying to replace one type of forward, the fit changes; if it is addressing another need, McMann’s value shifts with it.
Will the Buffalo Sabres actually pursue Bobby McMann or choose a trade instead? For now, his 29-goal season, 17 assists and projected $5,304,000 AAV make him a real option, while the cap math keeps the trade lane open.
