Nicolas Aubé-Kubel, a 2022 Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche, was placed on waivers by the Buffalo Sabres, Monday. If NAK clears, he will be assigned to the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the news on X.
Aube-Kubel (BUF) on waivers
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 27, 2025
The former Capital, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Sabres over the summer, has only one goal and one assist in 19 games with Buffalo. NAK joined the Sabres in the offseason, two days after Buffalo completed a draft day trade with the Capitals for Beck Malenstyn, his line-mate during the 2023-24 campaign. The Capitals selected Cole Hutson with the second-round pick they received back from Buffalo.
While Aubé-Kubel has not produced many points, his process stats suggest he may not be the problem. At five-on-five with NAK on the ice, the Sabres are above water in shot attempts (158-149), scoring chances (71-69), and high-danger chances (34-24), while the team has an expected goals percentage of 52-percent. Buffalo, however, has been outscored 8 to 4 during Aubé-Kubel’s shifts.
NAK’s waiving comes as the Sabres have struggled mightily in the first half of the season. After a partial makeover during the offseason and the return of Lindy Ruff as head coach, Buffalo has given up the fifth-most goals in the league and has the Eastern Conference’s worst record, posting 41 points in 49 games.
Aubé-Kubel, who missed time earlier this season due to a lower-body injury, has been waived four different times in his career. He did not make the Capitals out of Training Camp last season before forcing his way back onto the team in mid-November.
Aubé-Kubel is notably Sergei Ovechkin’s favorite player.
