Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams continues to strengthen the team’s future, adding another promising talent to their growing prospect pool. The organization announced the signing of Brown University’s standout forward, a highly skilled sophomore who will bring size, skill, and offensive upside to the franchise. He has agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract that will officially begin in the 2025-26 NHL season. However, he will immediately report to the Rochester Americans—Buffalo’s AHL affiliate—on an amateur tryout contract (ATO) to gain valuable professional experience before making the leap to the NHL.
A Dominant Collegiate Performer
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Brendan Kopff, possesses the ideal frame for a power forward and has consistently demonstrated an ability to produce offensively. The New Jersey native was one of Brown University’s top offensive contributors throughout his collegiate career.
During the 2024-25 season, Kopff was a key force for the Bears, racking up nine goals and 28 points in 32 games. This marked a notable improvement from his freshman campaign, where he posted six goals and 18 points in 30 games. Prior to his collegiate career, Kopff honed his skills in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), one of the premier junior leagues in North America known for developing NHL-ready talent.
One of the most impressive aspects of Kopff’s game is his ability to perform in clutch moments. He registered six multi-point games in the 2024-25 season, showcasing his ability to take over games. One of his standout performances came on January 31, when he delivered a career-best five-point effort (one goal, four assists) to lead Brown to a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory over RPI. That game cemented his place in program history, as he became the first Brown player to record a five-point game since 2016. He followed up that stellar outing with another dominant display on February 9, notching two goals and four points in a commanding 5-1 win over Yale.
Sabres’ Approach to College Free Agents
Kopff’s signing is a significant move for Buffalo, as the organization has not been particularly active in the college free-agent market in recent years. The last major NCAA free agent the Sabres landed was Brandon Biro, whom they signed from Penn State University on March 18, 2020. College free agents often gravitate toward teams with immediate NHL roster openings, and Buffalo’s deep pipeline of highly drafted prospects has historically made it more challenging to attract undrafted collegiate talent. However, Adams and his staff saw an opportunity with Kopff and successfully brought him into the fold.
Buffalo’s Roster Outlook
Per PuckPedia, the Sabres currently have 44 of their 50 contract slots filled, leaving room for additional signings before reaching the league limit. However, with multiple players potentially leaving as unrestricted free agents in the upcoming offseason, Buffalo is strategically positioning itself to maintain roster flexibility.
For now, Kopff will have the opportunity to develop at the AHL level, where he can adjust to the faster, more physical style of professional hockey. If he continues his upward trajectory, the big-bodied winger could quickly become a legitimate NHL option for the Sabres in the coming years.
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