Josh Doan signed a seven-year, $48.65 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $6.95 million and begins next season.
The 23-year-old forward has career highs in goals (15), assists (20) and points (35) in 50 games this season, his first with the Sabres. He could have become a restricted free agent after the season.
"It's a huge honor that they put the trust in me to sign a deal long-term like that," Doan said Thursday, "and I think it's a testament of their faith in this group and in me that we're building something for the future here, and it's a huge honor to be a part of that."
Buffalo (28-17-5) is fourth in the Atlantic Division and holds the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Sabres have not qualified for the playoffs since 2011.
"I think coming in here right away you can feel the energy in this group," Doan said. "There's an amazing group of guys here and that's something I think I like to feed off of is having fun at the rink ... and I've been given an unbelievable opportunity here to grow as a player and a person, and I think it just meshed well ... and we've got something going right now."
Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said he believes Doan is well deserving of the contract.
"Just great character," Ruff said Thursday. "Tries to work hard and get better every day. I think we've seen what he's done on the ice. I think his work speaks for itself. He's on the puck, plays the game the right way and will be an important piece of this team for a long time."
Doan was acquired by Buffalo with defenseman Michael Kesselring in a trade with the Utah Mammoth on June 26 for forward JJ Peterka.
Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No. 37) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Doan has 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) in 112 games for the Coyotes, Mammoth and Sabres.
"We evaluate a lot more than just the points and what they do on the ice," Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Thursday, "but also what their character is like on and off the ice, and he's a great teammate, he sets a good example for our group the way he works every day, and those are the type of guys you wante to get locked up as quickly as possible.
"I think character sets him apart. His work ethic, he comes to the rink every day with the mindset of getting better, so that shows the work pays off."
NHL.com independent correspondent Sean Farrell contributed to this report
