The Sabres recently inked defenseman to a one-year contract. Wearing No. 78, he has quietly contributed to Buffalo’s blue line for nearly five seasons, with his standout campaign coming in 2021-22 when he recorded 73 blocked shots, 55 hits, 24 takeaways, along with 1 goal and 9 assists over 73 games.
Often operating in the shadows of higher-profile defensemen like Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, and Owen Power, he typically slots into the third or occasionally second pairing. Some eyebrows were raised when the Sabres chose to retain him while parting ways with Henri Jokiharju. Many believe Buffalo could have netted a similar return had they traded him, but recent decisions by GM Kevyn Adams have impacted the team’s cap situation.
Still, keeping the 27-year-old rearguard isn’t viewed as a major misstep. While Bryson rarely makes headlines with highlight-reel plays, he also avoids costly mistakes. He’s the type of steady, under-the-radar player who quietly does his job—an underrated trait for a team struggling to stay afloat like the Sabres.
Unlike the offensively-gifted Dahlin, Bryson isn’t known for filling the scoresheet. He’s typically good for about a goal per season but has yet to light the lamp as the calendar nears April. He did notch one of his seven assists this season against the Canadiens on March 1, setting up Alex Tuch’s game-tying goal in the second period. Following that contest, head coach Lindy Ruff praised Bryson’s performance, calling it “the most involved” he’s seen him and added, “there’s no reason he can’t contribute more offensively.”
While there have been occasional flashes of Bryson’s potential, five seasons in Buffalo haven’t yielded any significant breakthroughs. Extending him for another year feels like a textbook Kevyn Adams move—one you’d expect from a GM who seems to lack a sense of urgency while leading a team still searching for the competitive edge needed to make a serious playoff push.
Sure, there’s always the chance Bryson steps up and makes a bigger impact next season. But the more realistic scenario is that 2025-26 will mark his final year with the Sabres, whether he’s moved in a trade or hits unrestricted free agency, where it’s unlikely he’ll draw much attention from other teams.