The Buffalo Sabres have signed diminutive winger Vinnie Hinostroza to a one-year contract worth $1.05M.

The Sabres Get: a two-way winger who works hard and has potential. As a 5-9 winger, Hinostroza is at that age (27) where if he's going to surprise us – it's now. And there won't be a shortage in ice time, as the Sabres are in full-blown sell mode. Then again, last year I said the same thing when he signed with the Panthers and then a few weeks later Florida signed Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair. And we all know how that ended up. They essentially took the opportunity that I had earmarked for Hinostroza. So take all of this with a grain of salt. If the Sabres sign more wingers later, then this is all out the window.

Fantasy Players Impacted: Hinostroza was rotting in Florida's press box last year until he was traded to Chicago in April. Upon arriving in Chicago he went on to post 12 even-strength points in 17 games, including 10 in his first 11. In 2018-19, his first season with Arizona, Hinostroza had 39 points in 72 games. It seemed like his next step was 50 or 55 points the following year. However, the Coyotes acquired Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall, plus Conor Garland was a surprise NHLer, and Hinostroza was buried on the fourth line. It's a hard-luck case, but these things happen all the time. Promising players never make it happen for one reason or another. Any hope in a fantasy-worthy season from Hinostroza is a risky proposal at best. In all likelihood he settles into the high-30s for production, which is waiver-wire value, but not draftable value.

This is a team on (the second wave of) a rebuild. That means the kids need to play. Arttu Ruotsalainen (also diminutive) and Tage Thompson showed promising signs in the second half. Hinostroza will make them work for their ice time.

Fantasy Players This Helps, In Order:

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