All remains quiet in the rumor mill as it relates to the Buffalo Sabres, and each passing day makes it more likely general manager Jarmo Kekalainen will opt to enter the new season without having made a high-profile addition following the departures of Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram.
The Sabres' bet on internal improvement isn't necessarily a bad one given the franchise's impressive group of young NHL players and prospects, but it does add a layer of uncertainty as Buffalo attempts to earn a second straight berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It'll also put a little extra pressure on the club's cornerstone players, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, to carry the load while other players get acclimated to their new roles. Thompson is also where we'll begin the latest Sabres news roundup.
Tage Thompson ranked NHL's 19th-best center
Thompson has firmly established himself as one of the league's most lethal goal scorers. He lit the lamp 40 times in 2025-26, marking the third time in the past four years he's hit that plateau, highlighted by a career-high 47 goals in 2022-23.
The other areas of the 28-year-old Arizona native's game could use some work, namely his defensive and faceoff impacts. That's probably why he just barely cracked the NHL Network's annual list of the league's 20 best centers, coming in at No. 19.
"Thompson helped the Sabres qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 and led them in the postseason with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 15 games," NHL Media wrote as part of the ranking reveal Sunday night.
Buffalo's search for a bona fide No. 1 center has so far remained fruitless, which means the 6-foot-6 offensive dynamo could end up in the middle of the ice once again in 2026-27.
In a perfect world, the Sabres will eventually plug that longstanding roster void — it hasn't been filled since they traded Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 — and allow Thompson to shift to the wing, which would help mask some of his deficiencies.
Until that moment arrives, Thompson will continue to provide strong production in the role, though he falls short of the NHL's truly elite two-way centers.
Sabres legend Ryan Miller makes Colorado Avalanche cameo
Miller is a member of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame who also made stops with the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues during a decorated 18-year NHL career.
He donned a different jersey on Sunday night to take part in the Avs' alumni game:
Special guest: Ryan Miller 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NVAbveGzzs
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 23, 2026
While it's not exactly clear why Miller took part in the event, it can be tough to find retired netminders who are still capable and/or willing to step back in the crease, especially in the summer.
The 46-year-old Michigan State product finished his time in the NHL with a 391-289-88 record, 2.64 goals against average and .914 save percentage across 796 appearances. He added a .913 SV% in 57 career playoff games.
Miller frequently makes his way back to Western New York, including for his annual "Catwalk for Charity" event.
Bisons announce latest "Hockey Night at the Ballpark"
Speaking of annual events, the Buffalo Bisons, the city's Triple-A baseball team, announced this year's "Hockey Night at the Ballpark" will take place Saturday, Sept. 5.
The Bisons will be hosting the Worcester Red Sox with 6:05 p.m. ET first pitch.
"Our 6th annual Hockey Night at the Ballpark will feature special Sabres activations, including an inflatable hockey shot and prize table, as well as a visit from Sabretooth and much more to be announced! We'll also have postgame Fireworks," the team said in a statement.
The Bisons are currently trying to chase down the International League's second-half title. They sit 3.5 games behind the Indianapolis Indians and Rochester Red Wings heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
It could make for a crucial game on Hockey Night at Sahlen Field.
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