The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Noah Ostlund to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $6.6 million.
Ostlund, 22, emerged as a key player for Buffalo during his rookie campaign in 2025-26. He tallied 27 points (11+16) in 60 games while playing a reliable, two-way style that earned the trust of his coach.
“He’s a coach’s dream, because those are the type of players you don’t really have to coach,” Lindy Ruff said in April. “He pretty well knows where he’s going almost every time. Very few times in the D zone does he get out of position.”
Ostlund managed to leave his mark on Buffalo’s postseason despite being limited to two games due to injury. In his playoff debut against Boston, he delivered a seeing-eye pass through traffic for an assist and later hustled to earn an empty-net goal.
Ostlund's NHL readiness was a result of his long exposure to pro hockey despite his young age. Drafted with the 16th-overall pick by Buffalo in 2022, Ostlund then spent two seasons in Sweden’s professional leagues before joining Rochester in 2024-25.
His contract extension solidifies Ostlund as part of Buffalo’s core moving forward, much of which is locked up long-term. He’s one of 10 Sabres signed through at least 2029-30, along with forwards Josh Norris, Zach Benson, Tage Thompson, Josh Doan, Peyton Krebs, and Beck Malenstyn and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson.
Tuesday is the deadline for NHL teams to sign their players to eight-year contracts. After that, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will take effect and seven years will become the maximum term length for new contracts.
