Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich made just 12 appearances early in the 2025-26 season before being sidelined for the remainder of the campaign while recovering from a blood clot.
Kulich confirmed he's expecting to resume his promising career in the fall — "I think everything's going the right way, and I'm looking forward for next season," he told reporters in May — but the Sabres weren't initially sure about his long-term hockey outlook.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed the tenuous situation on Monday's episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast.
"Kulich got hurt, missed time with the blood clot, [is] coming back," Friedman said. "I'm actually really happy to hear that. I heard initially, when they found out what he had, they were really worried about his career."
The 2022 first-round draft pick showed a lot of promise in 2024-25, which was his first full season in the NHL. He tallied 24 points (15 goals and nine assists) across 62 games, showcasing a lethal shot that'll be a welcome sight for Buffalo next season, especially on the power play.
Kulich's initial foray with the Sabres came after two-plus productive years with the AHL's Rochester Americans. He scored 94 points (53 goals and 41 helpers) in 123 contests for the Amerks.
Getting him back on the ice will help in the team's quest to replace the offensive production lost when Alex Tuch, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, was sent to the Washington Capitals as part of a sign-and-trade agreement.
Buffalo Sabres may be cautious with Jiri Kulich to open the 2026-27 NHL season
Although there's little doubt Kulich will be a key part of the Sabres' plans next season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the club bring him along slowly.
There are a few reasons for that.
Most importantly, the Czechia native hasn't played a competitive game since Nov. 1. So, he'll have gone nearly 11 months without that type of intensity before Buffalo opens the preseason in late September. It also plays all four of its exhibition games in just a six-day span.
Between the long layoff and the fact it's unlikely he'll play in more than two preseason contests, sending him to the Amerks for a quasi-rehab assignment isn't out of the question. It'd present a lower-pressure environment while he works to get back toward full speed.
The numbers game also plays a role as the Sabres build their roster for the new campaign.
Buffalo currently has 14 NHL forwards under contract for next season, and it'll be 15 once RFA center Peyton Krebs signs an extension or receives an arbitration hearing.
The Blue and Gold are only going to carry 13 on their final roster, however, because the front office has signaled its intention to continue with a three-goalie rotation.
It's still possible the logjam is partially cleared via a trade — a player like Jack Quinn could be included in a blockbuster deal for Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, for example — and the Sabres could also put players like Justin Danforth and Tyson Kozak on waivers.
Yet, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has stressed the importance of organizational depth and internal competition, so he'd probably prefer not to lose Danforth and/or Kozak for nothing. The team has also been heavily linked to free-agent winger Patrick Kane, a Buffalo native.
So, regardless of how the dominoes fall over the next few months, the path of least resistance may be having Kulich open the season in Rochester. The fact he wouldn't have to clear waivers is another factor in the roster equation.
The 6-foot center could play something like 8 to 10 games with the Amerks to find his footing again, and by then the Sabres will probably have a hole to fill due to injury.
It's not a guaranteed outcome, of course. Kekalainen could have a few more moves up his sleeve to create more roster flexibility, and Kulich could then be with the big club for Opening Night.
That said, whether he begins the 2026-27 campaign in Buffalo or Rochester, he'll surely be an important player for the Sabres by season's end.
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