BUFFALO, N.Y. — Promising young forward Dominik Kahun is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the Buffalo Sabres chose not to issue a qualifying offer to retain his rights by an NHL deadline Wednesday.
Kahun’s agent Jiri Hamal, however, told The Associated Press his client hasn’t ruled out rejoining the team. Hamal said he’s scheduled to have further contract discussions with the Sabres on Thursday to see whether the two sides can reach a deal.
“We still want to talk,” Hamal said. “Buffalo was a great option for him and we believe we might find a solution.”
Hamal said he rejected the Sabres’ contract offer as “not being good enough.” He said the Sabres elected to not issue Kahun a minimum offer, knowing the player had the potential to get a better deal should he take the team to arbitration.
Should a deal not be reached, Kahun is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Friday.
Kahun was an undrafted free agent out of the Czech Republic, and broke into the NHL by signing a two-year $7.55 million contract with Chicago before the 2018-19 season. He was traded to Pittsburgh the following offseason, and then acquired by Buffalo in a trade for Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues in February.
Kahun scored two goals and four points in six games with the Sabres before the season was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic. Overall, he has 25 goals and 43 assists for 68 points in 138 career NHL games.
The Sabres issued qualifying offers to retain the rights of six restricted free agents: forwards Sam Reinhart, Victor Olofsson and Casey Mittelstadt, defensemen Brandon Montour and Lawrence Pilut, and goalie Linus Ullmark.
Pilut has left the team to play in the Kontinental Hockey League. The Sabres, however, hold his rights should he return to the NHL.
Buffalo also re-signed minor-league goalie Jonas Johansson to a one-year, $700,000 contract.