Former first-round pick signs in Switzerland

After terminating his contract with the Buffalo Sabres, Riley Sheahan is headed to Europe. The 30-year-old forward has signed a contract with EHC Biel-Bienne for the rest of the season. He is expected to join the club next week.

It’s an interesting move for the NHL veteran, who has decided to take his game overseas instead of playing in the minor leagues. A first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2010, it’s been nearly a decade since he played regular games in the AHL. That came back in 2013-14 and was followed by nine seasons of full-time NHL action, with Sheahan suiting up for the Red Wings, Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken.

Over a 637-game NHL career, the checking center has 74 goals and 194 points. This season, he saw two games of action with the Sabres and six with the Rochester Americans but wasn’t able to score a goal at either level. He has never played in any leagues outside of North America, and it remains to be seen if he uses this opportunity in Switzerland as a springboard for an NHL return next year or is finished with the grind on this side of the ocean.