Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen faces the difficult task of trying to upgrade the team's roster this offseason despite extremely limited salary-cap space and a group of key free agents, led by UFA Alex Tuch and RFA Zach Benson.
So, at least a portion of Buffalo's success next season will be tied to internal growth and getting meaningful production from players who missed most of the 2025-26 campaign, which saw the Sabres finally snap their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.
That's especially true when it comes to players on team-friendly contracts who are capable of providing ample bang for the buck. Kekalainen won't be able to spend wildly this summer, which means his club will need those type of low-cost contributors to thrive.
Let's check in on a few players who fit the mold and should return in 2026-27.
Jiri Kulich (blood clot)
The Sabres had high hopes for Kulich entering the campaign. The offensively gifted forward scored 15 goals in 62 appearances as a 20-year-old rookie in 2024-25, and he slid into the top-line center spot for a period after Josh Norris sustained an injury in this year's season opener.
Unfortunately, the 2022 first-round pick suffered a blood clot in early November and missed the remainder of the season, though he did eventually resume skating on his own.
Kulich confirmed he underwent successful surgery to remove the clot and fully expects to continue his career when training camp arrives.
"It was kind of a roller coaster, because the only thing I was asking myself was if I'm gonna be able to play hockey again," the Czech rising star told reporters. "That was the toughest part, but I'm just so grateful how this organization treated me, and they were helping me every single day. ... I'm looking forward for next season."
Now 22, Kulich should be a candidate to fill a top-six role for the Sabres next season. It'll also be an important campaign on a personal level since he'll be a restricted free agent in 2027.
Even if the talented center is a bit rusty to open the campaign, hitting 20 goals for the first time should be a reasonable target as he reestablishes himself as a future Buffalo cornerstone.
Justin Danforth (broken kneecap)
Remember Danforth? Perhaps not if you only started following the Sabres again after they started turning their season around in December. The 2025 free-agent signing played just four games in October before breaking his kneecap and missing the rest of the year.
Kekalainen recently confirmed the 33-year-old forward is now "pretty close to being healthy" after two surgeries, the initial kneecap repair and a later clean-up procedure. Like Kulich, it sounds like he'll be ready to roll for camp barring any further setbacks.
Danforth recorded 47 points (19 goals and 28 assists) along with 235 hits, 95 blocked shots and 44 penalty minutes for the Columbus Blue Jackets over the previous two seasons. He also owns a 49.8% faceoff win rate in his career, which is an area the Sabres struggled mightily in 2025-26.
Buffalo enters the offseason with questions about its fourth line. Sam Carrick will return to center the trio, but Beck Malenstyn is an impending UFA and Jordan Greenway ($4 million salary) is a trade candidate with the front office seeking cap flexibility.
As a result, there's a strong chance Danforth ($1.8 million AAV) is a member of the bottom line to open the new campaign. Even if not, he's a solid option for head coach Lindy Ruff to have around as the 13th forward given his positional versatility.
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