BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Peyton Krebs will report to training camp with the Sabres on Wednesday having signed a new two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.45 million, the team announced.
Krebs, a 23-year-old forward, has played in 202 games over the past three seasons for Buffalo after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 trade involving former captain Jack Eichel. Skating at times on the wing, but mostly centering the fourth line, Krebs has compiled 20 goals and 66 points for the Sabres.
The 6-foot, 186-pound Krebs has shown a willingness to play a checking line role for the Sabres, while showing glimpses of the playmaking ability that made him a first-round draft choice in 2019. Krebs was player of the year in the WHL in 2021, tallying 43 points in 24 games for the Winnipeg Ice. Krebs has also played for Canada in international tournaments, including the 2023 world championships where had a goal and four assists in 10 games for the gold medalists.
Krebs role with the Sabres in the coming season is uncertain after Buffalo signed a number of forwards to fill out the third and fourth lines. He was a restricted free agent who had not signed the qualifying offer extended to him by the Sabres in June.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said at the end of last season that Krebs was continuing to develop his game as “200-foot, two-way centerman.”
“I think we’re still gonna see him improve and we’re gonna see him grow as a player,” Adams said. “I like his competitiveness. I like his character. And I like now his mature mindset of different ways to succeed in this league and not just an offensive side. So that to me was a telling statement. And I’m excited about him.”
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.