Buffalo Sabres Preseason Schedule Coming Soon

Though the 2014-15 NHL season isn’t over just yet, Buffalo Sabres fans can already begin looking toward next season.

Over the past few days, several NHL teams have begun releasing their preseason schedules for the 2015-2016 season.

Though the Sabres have not yet officially released their schedule – and are usually one of the last teams league-wide to do so – we can say with certainty that it’s coming soon.

One game we can mark on our calendars already is Friday, October 2. The Columbus Blue Jackets will come to town that night, facing the Sabres in a 7 p.m. puck drop.

That information came in via a release from the Columbus Blue Jackets website on Tuesday.

It seems likely that game will be either the last- or second-last game on the Sabres preseason schedule. Most schedules that have been released so far have the last preseason meetings on either Friday the 2nd or Saturday the 3rd.

Though many other Eastern Conference teams have yet to release their preseason schedules, we can say with certainty that the Buffalo Sabres will NOT be facing either the Detroit Red Wings or the Pittsburgh Penguins this preseason.

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Both teams released their respective schedules. That means a Dan Bylsma reunion with his former team will have to wait until the regular season.

Also off the schedule: the Carolina Hurricanes, who released their preseason schedule on Wednesday with no Sabres game in sight.

So, who else could the Buffalo Sabres be facing this preseason?

Eastern Conference teams that haven’t released their schedules include: Boston, Florida, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, Washington and Montreal.

Last year saw the Sabres play in six preseason match-ups against three teams, with home-and-home sets against Washington, Carolina and Toronto.

Most teams seem to be playing between six and eight preseason games, based on the schedules already released.

It seems almost certain that the Buffalo Sabres will face the Toronto Maple Leafs at least once – if not twice – in the preseason, as that seems to be the usual standard for the two teams. Put one game at the FNC and one at the ACC and you’re all set.

Those games are sure to be a lot more interesting this year. Even though it’ll be preseason, a Leafs game at First Niagara Center would be Mike Babcock’s coaching debut with Toronto in Buffalo. Prepare for an inevitable chorus of boos.

So consider that three games total squared away, leaving between three and five more games.

The Sabres usually meet up with Carolina in the preseason, but we already know that isn’t happening this season. I’d expect a pair of games against Washington (as was the case last year), plus some meetings with either Montreal or Ottawa; between all that, it should put the Sabres at par for a fully-stocked preseason schedule.

Next: Sabres' 2015 NHL Draft Positions?

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