The Buffalo Sabres entered the current NHL offseason with limited financial flexibility despite a rising salary cap, which features a $104 million upper limit for the 2026-27 season.
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen created some breathing room through a couple high-profile trades — sending Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks and then shipping Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal rather than meeting his $10.5 million AAV asking price — but the Sabres still only have a modest $5.1 million in cap space (via PuckPedia) with less than two months until Opening Night.
The early outlook for next summer is a lot more promising, though.
PuckPedia estimates the Sabres currently have $36.7 million in space for 2027 based on a projected $113.5 million upper limit. Part of the sizable uptick comes from a decrease in the dead-cap hit from Jeff Skinner's buyout, which dips from $6.4 million to $2.4 million, where it will stay until 2030.
Buffalo will have some important decisions to make about its internal free agents but, even with a few re-signings, the Blue and Gold should be in far better position to make a significant splash next offseason, either via free agency or a trade.
It also gives Kekalainen the ability to target players with term on their contract ahead of the 2027 NHL trade deadline if the Sabres are making another strong playoff push during the upcoming campaign.
That's why there should still be plenty of optimism in Western New York despite a relatively muted summer from the organization, at least in terms of marquee acquisitions.
Early breakdown of Buffalo Sabres' impending 2027 free agents
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs): Jason Zucker, Sam Carrick, Justin Danforth, Conor Sheary, Conor Timmins, Zach Metsa, Dennis Gilbert, Alex Lyon
It's not out of the realm of possibility none of these players are re-signed by Buffalo.
Zucker, 34, is already a trade candidate because of an overcrowded group of Sabres forwards, which includes a large cache of young players aiming to take on bigger roles in 2026-27. The winger has played well since arriving in 2024 but may simply lose out in a numbers game.
Carrick provided a noticeable boost to the team's fourth line after being acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers ahead of last season's deadline, especially in the faceoff circle, but Buffalo's fourth line is another area with an overabundance of options. The same is issue faces Danforth.
It's more of the same on the blue line, where the Blue and Gold may only have one full-time role available heading into the 2027-28 season, and the franchise is hopeful 2026 first-round pick Daxon Rudolph may be ready to make the NHL jump already next year.
That may not leave any space for Timmins, Metsa or Gilbert, though one of them may ultimately be re-signed to handle the No. 7 reserve role.
Lyon, who was the Sabres' most valuable player during the early stages of last season, is the most likely member of the impending UFA group to return. He's a battle-tested veteran who's capable of providing around 25 strong starts as part of a three-goalie rotation.
Buffalo may opt to go in a different direction if Colten Ellis emerges as a dependable No. 2 option, though.
Restricted free agents (RFAs): Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, Louis Crevier, Colten Ellis
Speaking of Ellis, we'll list him among the RFA contingent, but he'll be eligible to receive UFA status if he doesn't play at least 12 NHL games in 2026-27. So, look for the Sabres to ensure he receives a fair share of starts, which was probably the plan anyway, regardless of his contract factors.
Everyone else on the list will likely be retained by Buffalo, though Quinn may become a trade option depending on his expectations for an extension. He posted a career-high 51 points (20 goals and 31 assists) in 82 games last season but remains a defensive liability.
Ostlund, who's impressed at the NHL level but faces durability concerns, and Kulich, who missed a vast majority of 2025-26 with a blood clot, will both be attempting to solidify themselves as long-term pieces of the puzzle for the Sabres next season.
Crevier, part of the blockbuster Byram trade with the Blackhawks, flashed quite a bit of upside to pair with his 6-foot-8 frame in Chicago. He should at least become a third-pair stalwart for Buffalo.
A lot can change over the course of 11 months when it comes to player valuations, but an early estimate to re-sign all five RFAs would be around $18 million. That'd leave the Sabres about $19 million to work with next summer as they attempt to find one more bona fide stud forward.
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