A Familiar Face Returns to Buffalo
The Sabres announced Tuesday that they have signed defenseman Dennis Gilbert to a one‑year, $850,000 contract, a move that reunites the 28‑year‑old with the franchise where he began his professional career. Gilbert, a Buffalo native, brings a blend of physicality and experience that the coaching staff hopes will translate into more reliable play on the ice.
Gilbert’s résumé includes two separate tenures with the Sabres, as well as stints with the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. In the 2024‑25 season he appeared in 25 games for Buffalo, contributing five assists and 50 penalty minutes while logging a career‑high plus‑minus rating in limited minutes.
His journey took him to the AHL after a trade to Philadelphia, where he began the season before being dealt back to Ottawa in a mid‑season swap involving Dylan Cozens and Josh Norris. The Senators later reacquired him on November 17, and he spent the remainder of the campaign with the Belleville Senators, posting 31 games and a modest offensive output before earning a call‑up for nine NHL appearances and a single playoff game.
The Sabres’ management highlighted Gilbert’s familiarity with the organization and his willingness to embrace a leadership role in the locker room. While his offensive numbers have been modest, his defensive responsibilities and willingness to block shots have long been valued by the coaching staff.