The Sabres pulled off an upset edging out the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3. The win came shortly after Kevyn Adams held a team meeting with captain Rasmus Dahlin, during which several players expressed their desire to stay and compete in Buffalo. It’s a positive sign as the Sabres look to build momentum heading deeper into the year.
A key contributor to that success has been one major star play-maker, who’s provided steady veteran leadership while having a career-best season. He notched his 15th goal, further raising his personal best. With 36 points so far, every point McLeod adds from here will set a new career high.
However, it wasn’t his goal that stole the spotlight — it was his dominance in the faceoff circle. According to Buffalo Sabres PR, he became just the seventh player in franchise history to take at least 20 faceoffs in a game and win 80% or more of them, a rare and impressive feat.
he tallied the most faceoff wins in a single game since Tage Thompson collected 17 against the Red Wings back on April 7, 2024. Since the team returned from the extended break, McLeod has seen an uptick in ice time, earning second-line shifts alongside Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker, especially following the trade rumors surrounding Dylan Cozens.
What’s Next for McLeod
McLeod is setting himself up for a well-deserved contract extension this offseason. While his current cap hit sits at $2.1 million annually, it’s expected that he could command somewhere between $4 to $6 million on his next deal. If Buffalo decides to keep the current second-line trio intact, it could quietly develop into one of the more underrated lines in the league.
McLeod brings the grit, energy, and physical edge that perfectly complements this Sabres roster. His ability to shift momentum—whether through his defensive work, faceoff prowess, or offensive contributions—makes him a key piece moving forward.
With Kevyn Adams already making moves to retain the team’s core, re-signing McLeod should be a top priority this summer. If McLeod remains in Buffalo, he could play a pivotal role in pushing this team toward contention in the near future.