In a normal year, July 1 would traditionally mark the opening of the NHL’s unrestricted free agency period. The past year and a half have been anything but normal, but the league is back in full swing with the Stanley Cup Final underway - and the current champion Tampa Bay Lightning looking strong to defend their title. Within the next week and a half, another season will be complete, paving the way for a busy, active offseason.
As the coming months pass, there will be plenty of storylines to follow, both across the NHL at large and specifically when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres.