The Buffalo Sabres won't have much margin for error throughout the upcoming NHL season due to the incredible strength of the Eastern Conference, but the reigning Atlantic Division champions are still a threat thanks to an impressive collection of young talent.
That said, a lot of the team's chances will hinge of its three-goalie rotation of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis, barring a late blockbuster trade for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
UPL is where we'll start our latest Sabres news roundup.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen discusses his love for Buffalo
Luukkonen has been a member of the Sabres organization since being selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, and he made his Blue and Gold debut in April 2021.
The 27-year-old Finnish netminder has come to appreciate the City of Good Neighbors.
"In Finland we have a saying, that it's 'people-sized,'" UPL told David Alter of The Hockey News. "It's not too big, it's calm, it's homey, you feel comfortable there. You feel like you're in place, you feel like you have a reason to be there. It feels like a second home to me now."
Buffalo has given Luukkonen every opportunity to seize the full-time starting job in recent years. He's produced a couple strong seasons (a .910 save percentage in 2023-24 and a .909 mark last season) but they were sandwiched around a miserable campaign in 2024-25 (.887 SV%).
UPL also struggled mightily for most of the club's 2026 postseason run, posting an unsightly .876 SV% in six appearances and allowing a goal on a dump in from center ice.
Finding most consistency will be crucial if this is going to become the year where he finally establishes himself as a true No. 1 NHL goalie.
Matt Savoie will miss Edmonton Oilers training camp
The Sabres selected Matt Savoie with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. His development was a bit more sluggish than the franchise expected, in part due to some injury issues, and he was ultimately traded to the Oilers for center Ryan McLeod in July 2024.
It's a move that's worked out well for Buffalo. McLeod has recorded 107 points (34 goals and 73 assists) in 160 games across two seasons while operating as a middle-six center and an important piece of the club's penalty kill.
Meanwhile, Savoie finally started to find some NHL success during the latter stages of the 2025-26 campaign, but now he's back on the shelf.
The Oilers announced the 22-year-old forward is expected to miss the entirety of training camp due to an injury suffered during an offseason training session. The team didn't announce a recovery timeline.
It's an ill-timed setback for Savoie, who'd earned opportunities on Edmonton's top line alongside Connor McDavid with his strong play down the stretch.
Alex Nylander set to sign PTO with Calgary Flames
Speaking of former Sabres prospects, Alex Nylander may get another crack at an NHL opportunity. PuckPedia reported the 28-year-old winger, a 2016 first-round pick of Buffalo, is expected to sign a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement with his hometown Calgary Flames.
Nylander put together a strong year with the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, last season. He compiled 53 points (24 goals and 29 assists) in 65 regular-season games and netted a series-winning overtime goal during the team's run to a Calder Cup title.
The 2016 eighth overall pick never found his footing during his time with the Sabres. He recorded just six points in 19 appearances across parts of three seasons. He's since made stops with the Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Calgary is in rebuilding mode, which should give Nylander a chance to crack the Flames' NHL roster with a strong camp.
Rex Ryan was watching Sabres' playoff run
Among those whose hopes of a long-awaited Buffalo championship started to rise last spring? Former Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
The longtime NFL coach and current ESPN analyst spoke with Trainwreck Sports about the Sabres' run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tage Thompson and the team's bright future:
"I thought the Sabres had a chance to win the whole damn thing," Rex Ryan
— Trainwreck Sports (@TrainwreckSprts) August 26, 2026
CREST LOYALTY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE BACK pic.twitter.com/ams1qAgph6
Ultimately, the Sabres were eliminated in the second round with a Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Ryan was among the stream of coaches who couldn't end the Bills' playoff drought, going 15-16 across two years (2015-16), but he always showed love to the city of Buffalo, and he's clearly still in tune with sports in Western New York.
Maybe the Sabres can bring Rex back to bang the drum for a game during the upcoming season.
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