Setting expectations for the 2026-27 Buffalo Sabres has been a difficult task. After all the changes during the offseason, most still had a positive outlook for what this team could do in the season to come. And then the preseason happened.
The Sabres have made moves to mitigate some of the damage done by a rash of injuries. That said, the team does have an opportunity at hand. If they can somehow come out of the gate and get out to a hot start despite the adversity, it could give them the kind of momentum that can propel them to a strong finish.
Expectations are Already High
For the most part, expectations are still quite high for the Sabres. They have one of the top rookies this season among a slew of talented, young forwards. They may have lost Alex Tuch via sign-and-trade, but they may be stronger from top to bottom than a season ago.
Buffalo Sabres center Konsta Helenius celebrates with right wing Jack Quinn his goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
The rumors of an impending Connor Hellebuyck trade have only fueled the belief that the Sabres are going to be contenders for the foreseeable future. Add in a few very favorable contract extensions to a few core pieces and it becomes easy to see what the hype is about.
The Injuries are Mounting
With the positive stuff out of the way, it is time to focus on the concerns. The biggest issue currently being the slew of injuries the team has faced. Mattias Samuelsson, who had a revelatory season last year, is “week-to-week.” Olen Zellweger and Alex Lyon are day-to-day. Conor Sheary, Jason Zucker, and Conor Timmins are all with Samuelsson on the IR.
As if all that weren’t enough, starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left the final preseason game after “tweaking something,” leaving him doubtful for the start of the season on Thursday.
Depth on defense and in net has been spread woefully thin and we haven’t even begun the season in earnest. Thankfully, the prognosis on many of their injuries is relatively light, with returns expected by most within the first week of October.
A Hot Start Could Flip the Momentum
Rather than looking at this with complete negativity – which is understandable – there is another stance to take here. Momentum matters in sports, and the Sabres took it and ran all the way to the Atlantic Division crown a season ago.
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)
If they can start the first half-dozen games without missing a beat – especially with tough matchups like the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Utah Mammoth, and Florida Panthers on the slate – it could galvanize the team. Doing well against that stretch of opponents while depleted could give them a confidence boost, especially when the reinforcements arrive.
In one of the toughest divisions in the game, the Sabres will need that momentum. Being able to not only weather the storm but to thrive in the face of it could be what the Sabres need to really take off.
The Lineup is Still Deep
Despite the injuries, the Sabres are still a deep team. They have top-tier players in Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson to lead them, and the young core is hungry and looking to make an impact, both for the team and themselves.
The Sabres won’t be taking anyone by surprise this season. They are expected to be right in the thick of things. A strong start will give them a chance to find their footing, get healthy, and prepare for the season-long battle against some of the toughest teams in the NHL. That’s the kind of “battle tested” mentality that can go a long way in the NHL playoffs.
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