Peyton Krebs has played for the Sabres since the 2021-22 season. Timothy T. Ludwig / Imagn ImagesJuly 13, 2026 Updated The Buffalo Sabres and Peyton Krebs have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a four-year contract that pays $4.5 million per year.Krebs, 25, came to the Sabres as part of the Jack Eichel trade and has now been with the franchise for five seasons. He’s coming off his most productive year in the NHL with 12 goals and 27 assists while playing all 82 regular-season games. He also had two goals and four assists in 13 playoff games.Krebs started the season as a bottom-six player but finished the year playing wing on a line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. That line started the playoffs together before Sabres coach Lindy Ruff moved Krebs back down the lineup. Krebs has proven himself as one of the Sabres’ hardest-working forwards. His impact on the forecheck is what allows him to play up and down the lineup. He’s also capable of playing both center and wing depending on what the team needs. Ruff has referred to him as the team’s Swiss Army knife.
At the end of the season, Krebs was clear about wanting to be in Buffalo. He said he considers himself a Buffalonian after getting engaged in the city and having his first daughter in Buffalo.“This is definitely a home for my family and I, and I’d love to be a part of this team as long as I can,” Krebs said. “Obviously, the group of guys here are unbelievable and a lot of fun to be around. I think that’s the biggest thing: Is it a fun environment to come to the rink? And that it is, for sure. I got to know my neighbors really well, and all the people out in Clarence, where I live. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to, and I want to bring a Stanley Cup here.”Krebs now has a significant commitment from the team with a four-year deal, the longest of his professional career. And the $4.5 million salary shows how much the Sabres value what Krebs brings to the team.Buffalo now has 15 NHL forwards on the roster, so more moves could be coming. The Sabres have $4.1 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, so they still have some flexibility. And Krebs was the last remaining internal contract the Sabres needed to handle ahead of the season. After losing Tuch and Bowen Byram this offseason, the Sabres were able to retain Krebs along with Beck Malenstyn, who got a six-year contract that pays just under $3 million per year. So two important pieces of Buffalo’s culture will be back.
