Sabres season preview: Ruff, new faces look to go further in playoffs

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Buffalo Sabres.

Last season: 50-23-9, first in Atlantic Division; lost in Eastern Conference Second Round

Coach: Lindy Ruff (third season)​

Biggest challenge

The Sabres ended an NHL-record 14-season Stanley Cup Playoff drought dating back to 2011. Now comes the challenge of trying to replace two key cogs from that run. Defenseman Bowen Byram signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1 after he had an NHL career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) games in the regular season and seven points (four goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games. Forward Alex Tuch was part of a sign-and-trade when he agreed to an eight-year contract with Buffalo before being sent to the Washington Capitals on June 24 for forward David Kampf and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Tuch had 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) during the regular season and seven points (four goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games. The Sabres will have to find a way to make up for their combined 108 points (44 goals, 64 assists).

How they make playoffs

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon will need to give the Sabres the type of consistent goaltending they did last season. Though each had stellar regular seasons, their up-and-down play in the postseason, especially in a seven-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Second Round, had Ruff juggling his starters in the hopes that one of them would get on a roll. It didn't happen. The Sabres allowed almost four goals per game (27 total in the seven games). Perhaps that's why there was plenty of noise around the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo in late June around potential Sabres interest as a possible trade partner for Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who has made his wish to be traded public.

Most intriguing addition

Yes, the loss of Byram is significant, but don't sleep on defenseman Olen Zellweger, who is ready to step into a top-four role. The 23-year-old left shot had 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 76 games for the Anaheim Ducks last season, was acquired for a second-round pick in the 2026 draft and forward prospect Anton Wahlberg on June 26 and signed a three-year contract July 1. "Trading Bo Byram obviously created a hole," Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "This is a young player that has a lot of the same qualities. Really good skater, speed, puck play, ability to move up the ice, whether it's with a pass or carrying the puck out of the zone. We see a lot of potential in him."

Biggest potential surprise

Louis Crevier is a physical specimen, to say the least. The 25-year-old acquired from the Blackhawks in the Byram trade, is 6-foot-8, matching Tyler Myers of the Dallas Stars as the tallest defenseman in the NHL. Crevier's 124 hits last season would have been second among Sabres defensemen behind Mattias Samuelsson (132). His addition gives Buffalo an interesting mix of hustle and muscle at a position where Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin will be looked upon for puck-carrying duties. As such, Crevier is the perfect complement of physicality for the defense.

Ready to contribute

Center Jiri Kulich showed off his potential during his first full NHL season in 2024-25 with 24 points (15 goals, nine assists) in 62 games, some in a top-six role. Unfortunately, his development was halted last season by a blood clot that limited him to 12 games and five points (three goals, two assists). How long it takes Kulich, 22, to get up to speed is one of the lingering questions for the Sabres, but the potential is there, so much so that Buffalo has kicked around the idea of putting him on the top line with Zach Benson and Tage Thompson. That would be quite the impressive comeback should it happen.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Konsta Helenius, F: The No. 14 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft made waves in the hockey world last spring after he had four points in nine regular-season games. Helenius scored two goals on four shots in four playoff games and then the golden goal in overtime for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Per NHL EDGE stats, Helenius ranked highly among forwards in average shot speed (66.57 mph; 98th percentile) during a small sample size last season. Considering Buffalo quietly ranked fifth in goals per game (3.45) and Tuch's departure, Helenius could seize a prominent role at 20 years old playing either center or wing this season and emerge as a rookie sleeper in fantasy (average draft position: 130.9).

Projected lineup

Zach Benson -- Jiri Kulich -- Tage Thompson

Noah Ostlund -- Josh Norris -- Josh Doan

Jason Zucker -- Konsta Helenius -- Jack Quinn

Peyton Krebs -- Ryan McLeod -- Beck Malenstyn

Mattias Samuelsson -- Rasmus Dahlin

Owen Power -- Olen Zellweger

Louis Crevier -- Connor Timmins

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Alex Lyon