The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Louis Crevier to a four-year contract extension worth $16 million, keeping the 25-year-old in Buffalo through the 2030-31 season.
Crevier’s new deal carries an average annual value of $4 million and begins next season. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent next summer.
The 6-foot-8 right-handed defenseman joined Buffalo during the offseason as part of the trade that sent Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks. Crevier was selected by Chicago in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft and established himself as a full-time player last season.
He appeared in all 78 games for Chicago in 2025-26, setting career highs with seven goals, 18 assists and 25 points. Crevier also took on difficult defensive assignments while establishing himself as a dependable option on the blue line.
His role expanded quickly after arriving in Buffalo. With Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger sidelined by injuries during the preseason, head coach Lindy Ruff used Crevier alongside Rasmus Dahlin on Buffalo’s top defensive pairing.
Crevier’s extension gives Buffalo another long-term piece on defense. Dahlin, Samuelsson and Owen Power are already under contract beyond this season, while Zellweger signed a three-year deal after joining the Sabres this summer.
The Sabres also recalled defenseman Dennis Gilbert before Thursday night’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets and placed Zellweger, who is in concussion protocol, on injured reserve. Zellweger has not been ruled out for Buffalo’s home opener Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.