Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen bolstered the club's depth with the acquisitions of Sam Carrick, Logan Stanley, Luke Schenn and Tanner Pearson ahead of the recent 2026 NHL trade deadline, which has created a logjam at the bottom of the roster.
The Sabres currently have 15 forwards for 12 spots, eight defensemen for six spots and three goalies for two spots. It's still possible a pair of forwards, Jordan Greenway and Justin Danforth, and defenseman Conor Timmins could return from injuries, too.
In turn, Kekalainen warned his players there will be a "tough internal competition to get on the ice for the games" and stressed the importance of a team-first approach for those who are scratched.
"I think we have nine 'D' when they're all healthy, and we have five lines of forwards when they're healthy that could play on any given night, and some guys are going to be sitting out," Buffalo's GM told Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com. "So, the attitude and being a good teammate is going to get tested, but that's going to be really important for our whole group, that everybody is a good teammate."
Head coach Lindy Ruff has already started testing out different line combinations and defense pairs as he prepares to build his playoff lineup.
The Sabres haven't officially clinched a playoff berth, which would end the longest postseason drought in NHL history, but they're in prime position. They own the Atlantic Division lead after recently overtaking the Tampa Bay Lightning and sit second in the Eastern Conference behind the Carolina Hurricanes.
Kekalainen noted Buffalo made the depth trades as a way of "gearing up for a longer spring" but stopped short of making any bold declarations about the team's postseason chances.
"We've had this mantra the whole year basically: 'Let's do it one day at a time here,'" he told Cotsonika. "… We still have a big challenge ahead of us here in the last games to first make the playoffs. I don't want anybody to look at the standings and look further into the spring, so I won't talk about it."
That focused approach has paid major dividends as the Sabres have compiled a remarkable 31-6-2 record over their last 39 games dating back to early December.
An early look at the Buffalo Sabres' postseason lineup locks and players on the bubble
Forwards
Locks: Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Zach Benson, Josh Norris, Josh Doan, Noah Ostlund, Ryan McLeod, Jason Zucker, Jack Quinn, Beck Malenstyn, Peyton Krebs (11)
On the bubble: Sam Carrick, Tyson Kozak, Josh Dunne, Tanner Pearson, Jordan Greenway (IR), Justin Danforth (IR)
Depending on your viewpoint — do you prefer enigmatic scoring wingers or high-motor, limited-skill forwards? — you may object to Quinn or Krebs being listed as locks. Here's the reality: They've both played all 68 games this season, so they'll be in the lineup if healthy.
That leaves just one spot available on the fourth line. Carrick has the inside track on that role because of his faceoff ability, which will become even more important in the playoffs.
Yet, Dunne and Kozak have both enjoyed stretches of success this season and Pearson acclimated himself well during his first appearance with the Sabres.
Greenway could also be a contender because of his penalty-killing acumen, but he's been unable to shake a middle-body injury and may ultimately not return this season.
Defensemen
Locks: Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, Owen Power, Bowen Byram (4)
On the bubble: Michael Kesselring, Zach Metsa, Logan Stanley, Luke Schenn, Conor Timmins (IR)
The Sabres lean extraordinarily heavily on their top four defenders. It's possible Dahlin sees close to 30 minutes per game during the playoffs, while Samuelsson, Power and Byram could all end up around 25 per contest. That's a majority of the defensive ice time.
Nevertheless, Ruff and his staff to figure out what third-pair combination makes the most sense and can at least give the club a dozen or so dependable shifts.
Although Kesselring has the highest upside of the group, he's battled a high-ankle sprain for a vast majority of the campaign. It's severely limited his skating explosiveness. The team is trying to give him one last stint out of the lineup in an effort to get as close to 100% as possible.
Timmins should make his return to game action soon. He'll then be in a race against time to show he's back to full strength and ready for playoff hockey after an extended absence. He was an important part of the Blue and Gold's PK before the injury in December.
If their ailments keep Kesselring and Timmins from being ready for the postseason, it feels like Stanley and Metsa will occupy the bottom pair.
Goalies
Locks: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon (2)
On the bubble: Colten Ellis
Ellis hasn't started a game since a Feb. 3 overtime loss to the Lightning. He's typically remained active on game nights as the backup, allowing UPL or Lyon to enjoy a full night off rather than sitting on the bench in full pads.
That said, the only real question is whether Ruff decides to give the first-round Game 1 start to Luukkonen or Lyon. It's perhaps the toughest lineup decision of all.