Buffalo Sabres: Schaller, Leduc, Lieuwen sign qualifying offers

The Buffalo Sabres today announced forward Tim Schaller, defenseman Jerome Leduc and goaltender Nathan Lieuwen signed their qualifying offers for the 2015-16 season.

Schaller (age 24, 6'2", 206 pounds) made his NHL debut in 2014-15, recording two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 18 games with the Sabres. A native of Merrimack, New Hampshire, he posted a career-high 43 points (15/28) in 65 games with the Rochester Americans during his second AHL season, ranking second among all Rochester skaters in goals, assists and points.

Leduc (age 22, 6'1", 192 pounds) posted career-highs in games played (76), goals (6), assists (19) and points (25) during the 2014-15 season for the Americans. Selected by the Sabres in the third round (68th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Leduc has 42 points (12/30) in 175 games for the Amerks in the past three seasons.

Lieuwen (age 23, 6'5" 186 pounds) made his NHL debut with the Sabres in 2013-14 and posted a 1-4-0 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average in seven games. Buffalo's sixth-round (167th overall) selection in the 2011 NHL Draft, Lieuwen is 22-22-0 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average in 52 games for Rochester throughout the past three seasons.

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres announced the team signed defenseman Mark Pysyk to a two-year contract.

Pysyk (age 23, 6'1", 192 pounds) has registered 15 points (4/11) in 70 career NHL games for the Sabres during the past three seasons. A native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, he also spent parts of the last three seasons with the Rochester Americans, where he posted 47 points (8/39) in 142 games.

The Sabres' first-round pick (23rd overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft, Pysyk spent five seasons with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings, including two as the team's captain, before turning pro. He finished his WHL career with 125 points (25/100) in 243 games, and helped guide the Oil Kings to a WHL championship following the 2011-12 season.