The Buffalo Sabres have extended an entry-level contract offer to 2008 fifth round pick, Jacob Lagacé. Lagacé, 20, has until Tuesday to sign his deal and begin preparation for a season of AHL hockey. If the two sides cannot close, the scoring wing will head back to the draft looking for another suitor and likely play another season of QMJHL hockey.
The 5'11, 196-pounder completed his third season of major juniors in 2009-10, scoring 35 goals and 38 assists in 60 games split between Chicoutimi and Cape Breton. A mid-season trade to the Screaming Eagles united Lagacé with fellow Sabres prospects Luke Adam and Maxime Legault, but the Atlantic Division proved to be tougher sledding as he would connect for just five goals in 25 games before going 0-3-3 and -6 in a first round loss to Moncton.
Lagacé was signed to an AHL tryout in Portland at the finish of his Q year, but work visa issues limited him to one nondescript appearance in the Pirates game four, playoff-exiting loss to Manchester.
If the two sides agree to terms as expected, Lagacé will be the fifth member of the 2008 draft class to enter the system. First round studs Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis have already made NHL waves, while Adam (2nd) and Nick Crawford (6th) were inked earlier this off-season after excellent wraps to their junior careers.
The Lagacé offer leaves one other pick from that class, PEI defenseman Jordon Southorn, without a deal heading into Tuesday's deadline to sign 2008 CHL draftees. With last week's signing of Harvard grad and 2006 pick Alex Biega, Southorn could be on the outside looking in when it comes to a future with the Sabres organization.
Regardless of Lagacé's decision, the club is still expected to take 2007 pick Corey Tropp out of Michigan State a year early to begin his pro development in the AHL.
