Buffalo Sabres Lock Up Rising Star Josh Doan With Seven-Year $48.65 Million Extension

The Buffalo Sabres made a significant investment in their future on January 21, 2026, signing forward Josh Doan to a seven-year contract extension worth $48.65 million. The deal, which carries an average annual value of $6.95 million, keeps the 23-year-old Arizona native in Buffalo through the 2032-33 season and includes a seven-team no-trade clause that will take effect when Doan becomes eligible. The extension represents a major commitment from Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, who has prioritized building around young offensive talent as the franchise seeks to end its lengthy playoff drought.

Doan, the son of former NHL captain and Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan, has emerged as one of the Sabres' most consistent offensive producers since arriving in Buffalo via trade from the rebranded Utah Mammoth in June 2025. Originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (37th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Doan was traded alongside defenseman Michael Kesselring to Buffalo in exchange for forward JJ Peterka. The move reunited Doan with Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who had previously coached his father during Shane Doan's playing days. In his first season with Buffalo, Josh Doan has tallied 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points in 49 games, showcasing the offensive instincts and hockey IQ that made him a highly regarded prospect.

The Sabres' decision to lock up Doan long-term reflects their belief that he can develop into a top-line winger capable of anchoring their offense for years to come. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Doan possesses the size, skill, and competitive drive to excel in the modern NHL, combining a heavy shot with strong puck protection abilities and an improving two-way game. His performance this season has validated the Sabres' faith in acquiring him, as he has formed effective chemistry with Buffalo's young core including centers Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn. The contract's structure, which pays Doan approximately $6.95 million annually, positions him as a key piece of the Sabres' long-term salary cap planning.

For Doan, the extension provides financial security while keeping him in an organization committed to developing young talent and building a championship contender. The Arizona native has embraced his role in Buffalo despite being far from his southwestern roots, and the seven-team no-trade clause gives him significant control over his career trajectory once it activates. His father Shane's legendary 21-year career with the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise set a high bar for loyalty and production, and Josh appears determined to forge his own path to NHL stardom while honoring his family's hockey legacy.

The signing comes at a critical juncture for the Sabres, who currently sit in playoff contention as they approach the second half of the 2025-26 season. Buffalo's front office has aggressively pursued young talent through trades and the draft, assembling a roster capable of competing for a postseason berth for the first time since 2011. Locking up Doan alongside other core pieces like defenseman Owen Power and forward Jack Quinn signals the organization's intent to end their historic playoff drought and establish themselves as perennial contenders in the Atlantic Division. With the NHL's Olympic break now underway, the Sabres and their fans can take solace in knowing one of their brightest young stars is committed to the franchise for the long haul, providing stability and optimism as they push toward ending one of professional sports' longest active playoff droughts.