MSU Hockey Losing Another Key Skater to NHL Ranks

Another key player for Michigan State is leaving to go play in the NHL.

Maxim Strbak, who had one more year of college eligibility left if he wanted to use it, has signed with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres on a three-year, entry-level contract. Both MSU and the Sabres announced Strbak's signing on Wednesday afternoon.

Congratulations to junior defenseman Maxim Strbak on signing a three-year ELC with the @BuffaloSabres!

Strbak skated in 102 games as a Spartan after being selected in the 2nd round of the 2023 NHL Draft by Buffalo, finishing his junior season a career-best +20 with 38 blocked… pic.twitter.com/9CViQLBqw5
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 1, 2026

Strbak was drafted by Buffalo in the second round at 45th overall during the 2023 NHL Draft. The Košice, Slovakia native opted to go play for Adam Nightingale at Michigan State, helping the team win three Big Ten regular-season titles and two conference tournament titles in his three seasons with the team. Strbak, a defenseman, accumulated eight goals and 38 assists for 46 points during his college career while being plus-33.

His NHL debut won't be until next fall, though. Strbak is going to report first to the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' AHL affiliate, on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the season. His deal with Buffalo then kicks in during the 2026-27 season.

More on Strbak, Offseason Losses for MSU

Michigan State's Maxim Strbak, left, celebrates his goal in front of Notre Dame's Niko Jovanovic during the first period on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Strbak is the third Spartan already who has left school early to sign with a professional franchise since the team's season ended against Wisconsin in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament this past Saturday.

Freshman Porter Martone, who led MSU with 50 points this season, swiftly signed with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and made his professional debut on Tuesday. Star goalie Trey Augustine signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and will be reporting to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

Future of MSU Hockey

It was pretty common to see Strbak and fellow Sabres prospect Patrick Geary on the ice together. Both of them were listed on the second line of Michigan State's line chart against Wisconsin. Geary, also a Buffalo native, went in the sixth round to the Sabres during the 2024 NHL Draft. He also has one more year ahead of him if he wants, so that's another decision the Spartans will be waiting for.

Going off the listed commitments on College Hockey News, MSU currently has five defensemen in its next recruiting class. Of that group, Brady Peddle is the lone NHL draft pick. He went 91st overall in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He's been playing for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL, but he also played for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, Geary's former team.