Buffalo Sabres Enter Season With Lineup Questions and Key Injuries.
The Buffalo Sabres enter the 2026-27 season after a 109-point campaign that saw them win the Atlantic Division and advance past the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs. However, Buffalo begins its push for another strong season with several lineup changes and injuries creating uncertainty throughout the roster. The Sabres lost Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram during the offseason. They will also begin the season dealing with injuries to defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Conor Timmins, along with forward Jason Zucker.
Here is a look at Buffalo's projected lineup heading into Thursday night's season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Forwards
Peyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Josh Doan
Krebs is starting alongside Thompson and Doan after showing some chemistry with the group during the preseason. His previous success has largely come in a lower-line role, making this an interesting experiment for head coach Lindy Ruff.
The lineup could change as the season progresses, particularly if Buffalo needs additional scoring or wants to move Krebs back into a bottom-six role.
Ryan McLeod – Josh Norris – Konsta Helenius
McLeod provides Buffalo with a familiar presence, while Norris and Helenius bring two important questions into the opening stretch of the season. Norris' availability remains a major factor after dealing with health issues in the past. When healthy, he was one of Buffalo's more productive players following the Olympic break last season. Helenius enters the season after making an impact during the playoffs and at the World Championship. Buffalo will be counting on the young center as he adjusts to the demands of a full NHL season.
Zach Benson – Noah Östlund – Jack Quinn
This trio was among Buffalo's most effective combinations during training camp. Benson and Östlund have shown the ability to drive play, while Quinn adds another offensive threat to the group. Benson also gives Ruff an option to move into a top-line role if changes are needed. For now, the three young forwards could become an important part of Buffalo's offense.
Jiří Kulich – Sam Carrick – Beck Malenstyn
The fourth line remains less certain. Kulich is not a traditional fourth-line player, but he did not receive extensive preseason opportunities elsewhere in the lineup. Buffalo also has Tyson Kozak and Justin Danforth available as alternatives. Danforth briefly moved into a third-line role during the preseason when Östlund missed practice. Extras: Tyson Kozak, Justin DanforthInjured: Jason Zucker, Conor Sheary Zucker's eventual return will create another roster decision for Buffalo. Sheary, meanwhile, is expected to face a roster decision once he is healthy enough to return.
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Louis CrevierOlen Zellweger – Owen PowerMatt Grzelcyk – Zach Metsa
Injured: Mattias Samuelsson, Conor Timmins, Jack Rathbone Buffalo's defensive depth will be tested immediately. Samuelsson is beginning the season on injured reserve, which opens the door for Crevier to take on a larger role. Zellweger is also coming off a preseason concussion, although he is not beginning the season on injured reserve. Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power are expected to carry significant minutes, but the Sabres will need contributions from their newer defensive options as well. Timmins' absence is particularly notable because of his role on Buffalo's penalty kill and his previous work alongside Power. Grzelcyk, who recently signed with Buffalo, could therefore have a larger role than initially expected. His skating and ability to move the puck fit the Sabres' preferred style and could make him a useful option on the third pairing. With several new pieces on defense, Ruff could have plenty of flexibility once the roster gets healthier.
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Colten Ellis, Alex Lyon
Injured: Topias Leinonen Buffalo's goaltending situation also carries some uncertainty entering opening night. Luukkonen left Saturday's preseason finale after a minor issue, while Lyon exited his final preseason start with an apparent shoulder injury. Neither goalie is beginning the season on injured reserve, suggesting both remain options for the opener.
Buffalo's decision to carry three goaltenders could prove useful if either Luukkonen or Lyon needs additional time to recover. Ellis, who turns 26 next week, could receive an opportunity if either of the two established goaltenders is unavailable. That would give Buffalo another chance to evaluate him at the NHL level. The Sabres' goaltending group helped the team finish among the NHL's top three in save percentage during the regular season last year. Maintaining that level will be important as Buffalo begins another season with postseason expectations.
Opening-Night Outlook
Buffalo has considerable talent throughout its lineup, but injuries and several new defensive combinations make the start of the season an important evaluation period. The Sabres will open the regular season Thursday night in Columbus, with Ruff facing decisions about how long to keep certain combinations together and how to manage the roster as injured players begin returning.