SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH TRIO
Jul 1, 2023The Buffalo Sabres announced today that the team has agreed to terms with goaltenders Devin Cooley and Dustin Tokarski and forward Justin Richards to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2023-24 season. All three contracts carry an average annual value worth $775,000.
Cooley, a 26-year-old native of Los Gatos, California, appeared in 26 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL during the 2022-23 season. He posted a 15-8-2 record during the regular season with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
Cooley also went 2-2 with 2.29 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in four appearances during Milwaukee’s run to the Western Conference Finals.
Tokarski, 33, returns to the Sabres after spending last season in the Pittsburgh organization. He had a .910 save percentage in 36 games with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Tokarski spent two seasons with Buffalo from 2020 to 2022, posting a .901 save percentage in 42 games. He has a career save percentage of .902 in 80 NHL contests with Tampa Bay, Montreal, Anaheim, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh.
The veteran has a .912 save percentage in 399 career AHL games, including two with Rochester during the shortened 2020-21 season. He is a two-time Calder Cup champion (with Norfolk in 2011-12 and Charlotte in 2018-19) and was selected to the AHL All-Star Game in 2013-14.
Richards, 25, has played in three career NHL games for the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets, tallying two assists.
A product of Orlando, Florida, Richards recorded 39 points (10+29) in 61 games for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL during the 2022-23 campaign.