The Buffalo Sabres are heading into the 2026-27 season looking to build on the tremendous campaign in 2025-26.
Despite the loss of two key pieces in Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has plenty of firepower to work with. That firepower should provide the team with plenty of talent to contend in the uber-competitive Atlantic Division.
That’s why Ruff has to address three crucial issues to ensure that this season will be just as good, or even better, than last year’s historic campaign.
Can Lindy Ruff find the right line combinations?
One of the major questions will be figuring out how the top six will work out. The Sabres will hopefully have Jiri Kulich back in the fold. If that’s the case, the club will have a top-six center returning to the mix.
However, one question that will remain unanswered is Tuch’s vacant spot in the lineup. The Sabres don’t necessarily have an immediate answer to it. But there might be a solid in-house solution in Noah Ostlund. The 22-year-old had a great season and playoffs until an injury sidelined him. A fully healthy Ostlund should provide the Sabres with a decent internal solution to round out the top six.
Beyond that, it will be up to Tage Thompson to continue carrying the offense, proving why he’s one of the NHL’s best top-line forwards.
Will Ruff trust his young players?
The departures of Byram and Tuch have opened up more opportunities for younger players to fight for roles on the team.
One of the names to watch will be Konsta Helenius. The 20-year-old should have a full-time role on the team this season. Early projections see Helenius as the third-line center. If so, Helenius may even shove Ryan McLeod down to the fourth line.
However, it will be up to Helenius to show that he can handle that role. Otherwise, McLeod would go up the food chain.
The same goes for Kulich. While there’s no question that he’s a talented player and should be a top-six forward, there’s no real telling how much rope Ruff will give him. If the time missed affects Kulich’s game, Ruff may opt to drop him in the lineup. That situation could play out if Josh Norris proves he’s healthy enough to stay in the lineup this season.
Another crucial question will be Olen Zellweger. The 22-year-old will essentially be looking to establish himself as a legit NHL defenseman. Zellweger, along with Louis Crevier, will be vying to take on a meaningful role on the club.
In Zellweger’s case, it’s unclear how much runway he’ll have. While it doesn’t seem like he’ll be heading down to the AHL anytime soon, would the Sabres entertain the idea of shoving him down the trough if he can’t really hold on to a spot? Highly unlikely but crazier things have happened.
What if Zellweger really struggles? While there’s no indication that this could be the case, the former Anaheim Ducks defenseman will have a chance to prove he belongs in the NHL. Otherwise, the Sabres may have significant, unanswered questions.
How much patience will Ruff have with Luukkonen?
This question is perhaps the easiest, yet the most difficult to answer. Ruff will have no other choice but to turn to Luukkonen. Unless the Sabres land Connor Hellebuyck before the start of the season, the Sabres will roll with Luukkonen as the starter.
If he plays well, really, there won’t be any discussion. If Luukkonen struggles, however, Ruff will turn to Alex Lyon. Lyon has proven he can handle the load. But he’s not the sort of goalie Ruff can throw out there for 50 games. Colten Ellis is an unproven part of the equation, too.
That said, Luukkonen should have a short runway. If he can’t show he’s a true No. 1 out of the gate, Ruff may end up turning to Lyon well before the end of the first month of the season. Again, unless the Sabres have a realistic chance to land Hellebuyck, GM Jarmo Kekalainen may have to dig around the goalie market to find another option this season.
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