BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Victor Antipin won’t be back in Buffalo after general manager Jason Botterill says the Sabres won’t issue the Russian-born defenseman a qualifying offer.
The decision means Antipin will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 25-year-old Antipin was inconsistent in his lone season with Buffalo after opening his pro career playing in the Kontinental Hockey League.
He had 10 assists in 47 games last season. Antipin also became the odd-man out on a Sabres team restocking the blue line.
Rasmus Dahlin is expected to make the immediate jump to the NHL after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the draft on Friday. Brendan Guhle is expected to compete for an NHL job after spending most of last season developing in the minors.
NHL teams have until Monday afternoon to issue qualifying offers.
The Sabres also won’t extend an offer to forward Scott Wilson, though Botterill intends on attempting to re-sign him once free agency opens July 1.
Botterill says the Sabres elected not to retain Wilson’s rights to avoid the possibility of the player electing to pursue arbitration to determine his contract.
Wilson had six goals and 14 points in 47 games with the Sabres after being acquired in a trade with Detroit.
The Sabres will issue offers to their remaining eligible restricted free agents, including forwards Sam Reinhart, Justin Bailey and Nicholas Baptiste.
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