It wasn’t all that long ago that Cody Hodgson was pegged as a potential first-line centre in the Buffalo Sabres rebuilding plan. It’s been quite a fall for the former first-round pick.

Hodgson is a potential buyout candidate for the Sabres, according to Paul Hamilton of Buffalo’s WGR 550 Sports Radio.

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Citing conversations with Sabres general manager Tim Murray and new head coach Dan Bylsma on Thursday, Hamilton said Hodgson continues to work on his skating at Murray’s request. The GM is reportedly still weighing whether or not to buy out the 25-year-old centre.

Via WGR 550:

Cody Hodgson is in Sweden trying to become a better skater. Murray said his agent Claude Lemieux has been sending video updates showing his progress.

Murray said he told Hodgson that he needed to improve his skating and needs to be in better condition.

Murray said a buyout is still a decision.



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Hodgson had an awful 2014-15 campaign, scoring just six goals and 13 points in 78 games with the Sabres. The former 20-goal scorer shot a career-low 4.7 per cent and carried a sub-40 per cent Corsi for rating on a woeful Sabres club.

Hodgson was made a healthy scratch for the second time this past season ahead of a January meeting with the Vancouver Canucks, the club who drafted him 10th overall in 2008. The Canucks traded him to Buffalo for Zack Kassian in February of 2012.

Hodgson is set to earn a total of $17 million over the next four seasons.