2025 Buffalo Sabres Player Report Card: Beck Malenstyn

Total Season Stats: 4 G, 6 A, 10 pts, -16 in 76 games

Age: 27

Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26, $1.35 million cap hit

This season was Beck Malenstyn’s first in Buffalo, following last summer’s mid-draft trade from the Washington Capitals. Malenstyn went on to sign a two-year contract with the Sabres, avoiding arbitration.

All in all, I liked what I saw this season from Malenstyn.

He played a physical game and brought an edge to the team. He recorded 191 hits, second-most on the team (Connor Clifton had 208) and far more than most of the forwards. He averaged 14.31 hits per game, most of any of the full-time Sabres players this season.

He was also a strong piece on the forecheck and did a good job of playing the defensive forward. His 63 blocked shots were second-most among Sabres forwards, behind only Alex Tuch (116), and he averaged 4.72 blocked shots per game – most among forwards.

Also among Sabres forwards, he played the second-most ice time shorthanded. Just over 30 percent of his total time on ice came on the penalty kill.

From a purely offensive standpoint, he had 10 points – compared to 21 last season with the Caps. That said, last season was also his first full NHL season and he’s never been known for his offense. That’s not the key to his game; but it is a nice little bonus when it does come.

Grade: B