Projected Buffalo Sabres lines before first 2026 training camp practice

Four months after the Buffalo Sabres' long-awaited turnaround season ended in the second round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs, the Blue and Gold will begin preparations to defend their Atlantic Division title with training camp set to open this week.

The Sabres offseason featured the departures of two cornerstones from last season's squad: Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen made a few additions to the NHL roster, led by Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier, but he's mostly betting on internal improvement to make up for the lost production at both ends of the ice.

Buffalo will have several roster battles taking place throughout camp. So, the lineup could take on a wide range of different looks by the time the puck drops on the regular season, which will take place Oct. 1 when the Sabres visit the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let's take an initial look at how Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff could craft his lines when the club hits the ice for the first time ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Sabres forward lines

Will Tage Thompson open the season at center or on the wing? The answer to that question will play a key role in determining where everybody else falls into the equation. Ruff has generally preferred the 6-foot-6 offensive sensation on the wing when the team is at full strength.

A healthy Josh Norris would make life a lot easier on the coaching staff. The oft-injured center was once again productive when healthy last season (34 points in 44 games), but staying on the ice for extended stretches has proved virtually impossible throughout his career.

Buffalo essentially has one extra top-nine forward within its current group, which is why Noah Ostlund resides on the bottom line for the time being despite his new contract extension. The inevitable injuries will clear out that logjam eventually, which would allow Sam Carrick to join the lineup as the fourth-line center. His faceoff prowess will be missed if there isn't space for him to open the campaign.

One factor to keep in mind as camp plays out: Ostlund, Jiri Kulich and Konsta Helenius are the three Sabres forwards who are waiver exempt. Sending one of them to the AHL's Rochester Americans for a period (perhaps Kulich since he's returning from a long layoff) to maintain maximum organizational depth can't be completely ruled out. All three should be in the lineup during the stretch run of the regular season, though.

Ultimately, the Sabres may not feature quite as much high-end star power as the NHL's top Stanley Cup contenders, but their top-nine balance can match up with any opponent. Ruff should have no problem rolling his lines to keep everybody fresh throughout an 84-game schedule.

One last name to keep in mind: Jake Richard. He'll begin the season in Rochester, but an impressive summer has put the 22-year-old prospect in the conversation for a midseason recall if Buffalo needs a scoring spark.

Sabres defense pairs

Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson will attempt to run it back after a tremendous season playing together in 2025-26, but everything after that is a bit murky.

Owen Power's partner figures to evolve into a rotation. Louis Crevier is an intriguing option because of his defensive prowess, which would take some of that pressure off Power's shoulders, giving the 2021 No. 1 overall pick a little more offensive freedom.

Olen Zellweger should factor into the equation, too. He was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks because of his high-end skating and transition success, but that hasn't translated into elite offensive production quite yet at the NHL level. He always faces serious defensive question marks.

So, it's a situation where Ruff is going to change things up depending on the score. Crevier, Zellweger and Conor Timmins could all see a fair amount of minutes on the second pair as a result. And, even in situations where Crevier and Timmins are the hypothetical third pair, they probably won't see too much ice time together due to their limited puck-moving capabilities.

Zach Metsa likely has the inside track on Dennis Gilbert for the No. 7 reserve role, but Gilbert could bring a more physical presence if that's what the Sabres are seeking following the exits of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn in free agency.

This group could look quite a bit different in 2027-28 if prospects Daxon Rudolph and Radim Mrtka both prove ready for the NHL over the next 12 months.

Sabres goalies

Months of rumors surrounding a potential blockbuster trade for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have no resulted in a deal, so the Sabres are set to arrive for camp with the same three-goalie rotation they used in 2025-26.

If that's the case, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will receive yet another opportunity to prove himself as Buffalo's starting netminder. He's had his moments in recent years, including a .909 save percentage in 35 games last season, but frustrating inconsistency has been the hallmark of UPL's run in Buffalo.

Alex Lyon is a dependable backup, but the most intriguing aspect of the team's crease situation will center around whether Colten Ellis can emerge as a starter-level option. He showcased quite a bit of promise while posting a .903 SV% in 16 outings as a rookie.

It still feels like a Hellebuyck trade would make a ton of sense, especially since the Sabres have an excess of roster forwards, but it sounds like Winnipeg hasn't budged on its sky-high asking price and no team is willing to meet it, leading to a stalemate.

If a Hellebuyck acquisition doesn't come to fruition, Ruff will probably ride the hot hand between the pipes throughout the 2026-27 campaign.

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