The Buffalo Sabres returned to practice Wednesday as the NHL prepares to resume play next week after the conclusion of the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Buffalo currently owns the top wild-card position in the Eastern Conference with 70 points (32-19-6 record). It's five points clear of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals, the first two teams outside the playoff cut line in the East at 65 points.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said the coaching staff is focused on "conditioning and compete" as the club gets ready for a lot of high-pressure games during the final stages of the regular season.
Jiri Kulich scheduled for blood clot evaluation
Ruff confirmed Kulich continues to skate under the restrictions related to a blood clot that has sidelined the 21-year-old center since November. He's set for his next evaluation in early March, which will determine whether he can ramp up hockey-related activity.
At this point, Buffalo can't count on the 2022 first-round draft pick to make a significant impact for the remainder of the campaign. There's too much uncertainty and, even if he's cleared, it'll take him awhile to get back up to full speed for game action.
It puts some added pressure on Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to bring in some offensive depth before the 2026 NHL trade deadline on March 6. He should be in the market for a versatile top-nine forward who's also capable of providing a boost to the power play.
Kulich recorded five points (three goals and two assists) in 12 games before the blood clot diagnosis.
Sabres contracts with no-trade clauses
Speaking of the trade deadline, Buffalo will head that toward key date as a clear buyer. It's time for Kekalainen to take a bold swing (or two) with an eye toward making sure the franchise skates in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The Sabres have some contract clauses that may come into play depending on how the front office decides to handle the handle, though.
Here are the players affected (via PuckPedia):
- Rasmus Dahlin (full no-movement clause)
- Tage Thompson (five-team no-trade list)
- Alex Tuch (five-team no-trade list)
- Jason Zucker (five-team no-trade list)
- Jordan Greenway (five-team no-trade list)
Dahlin and Thompson obviously aren't going anywhere. Zucker isn't untouchable but it's hard to imagine a scenario where he'd be traded given the club's direction.
Tuch would typically be a trade candidate since he's an impending unrestricted free agent but, unless another team makes a monster offer, the Sabres will probably keep him as an "own rental."
Greenway stands out from that list because Buffalo may try to move him to create some salary-cap flexibility, especially with an eye toward next season.
Two more players will join the clause list for 2026-27:
- Josh Norris (10-team no trade list)
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (five-team no trade list)
Both Norris and UPL are potential trade candidates, though those type of moves would likely wait until the offseason. Dealing them before those clauses become active would give Kekalainen some extra options for possible suitors.
A look at Buffalo's stretch-run schedule
The Sabres have 25 games left in the regular season, and they don't get to ease back into action as they face an immediate three-game road trip to face the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning when NHL play resumes.
Buffalo's remaining schedule features:
- 13 home games, 12 road games
- 15 East opponents, 10 West opponents
- 5 back-to-back sets
The Sabres have two extended homestands — five games (March 7-14) and four games (March 25-31) — but they also have a four-contest West Coast road trip still to come (March 17-22).
As mentioned, the Columbus and Washington are the closest teams trying to chase down Buffalo from outside the current playoff group. The Blue and Gold still have to face the Caps twice (March 12 and April 4) and the Blue Jackets once (April 9), creating potentially massive head-to-head games.
The Sabres wrap up the regular season April 15 at home against the Dallas Stars.