Out of curiosity, say he wanted to play in NA next year (or any year his SHL contract is in effect) would the Sabres have to buyout his SHL contract or can he simply leave?
If the Sabres wants him in the NHL the contract doesn't matter. With or without contract, they have to pay a certain fee that NHL and SHL together has come up with for development etc.
I don't know if this contract means he is eligible for AHL or not. If so, it's the same fee they have to pay.
But this contract mean Buffalo cannot sign him and then send him to another league or team. So if he won't play for Buffalo or possibly Rochester, he has to play for Djurgården.