Buffalo Sabres: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Sabres Weekly: Alex Tuch Traded, Acquired Olen Zellweger & More

Here are the Buffalo Sabres’ news, rumors, and reports for the week of June 29 – July 5, 2026. To no surprise, Gavin McKenna went first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, and Ivar Stenberg went second overall to the San Jose Sharks.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Player Grades: Josh Dunne

The Buffalo Sabres easily exceeded expectations during the 2025-26 season. In addition to ending their 15-year playoff drought, they also captured the Atlantic Division crown in the face of fierce competition from the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens.

Devon Levi News / NHL Trade Talk / June 29

Report: Oilers eyed Devon Levi trade before talks fell through

The Edmonton Oilers conducted serious research into Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi over the weekend, but a deal never materialized, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

In the history of the NHL Draft, 64 players have been selected No. 1 overall. How many of the can you name in eight minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Single-playoff goal leaders' quiz

The 'NHL saves leaders since 1995-96' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Buffalo Sabres News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 29

Sabres Extend Beck Malenstyn

The Buffalo Sabres are finalizing a long-term agreement with one of their bottom-six forwards for the past two seasons accoring to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Buffalo Sabres News / Daily Faceoff / June 29

Report: Sabres to sign Beck Malenstyn to six-year extension

It appears that the Buffalo Sabres will be locking up a valuable member of their forward depth. As reported by Elliotte Friedman, the Sabres will be re-signing winger Beck Malenstyn to a six-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $3 million.

Prokhor Poltapov News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 28

Russian prospect Prokhor Poltapov could join Sabres next year

ORCHARD PARK – Over the 2021 and 2022 drafts, the Sabres took some big swings by drafting six Russians, including four in the second and third rounds. Just one, defenseman Vsevolod Komarov, a strong prospect with the Rochester Americans, finished last season in the organization.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / June 28

5 Players Who Went Way Earlier Than Expected at the 2026 NHL Draft

The Buffalo Sabres traded Bowen Byram to climb to fourth overall, then used the pick on the first defenseman off the board, a player most public boards had closer to ninth.

Kevyn Adams News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 27

Bruins Adding Kevyn Adams To Front Office

On Friday, the Bruins made a splash on the trade front, acquiring JJ Peterka from Utah for a pair of first-round picks. They also added the person who traded him to Utah in the first place. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that the Bruins are adding Kevyn Adams to their front office.

Buffalo Sabres News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 27

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Olivers Murnieks, Doman Szongoth and Dylan Dumont

ORCHARD PARK – The Sabres this afternoon selected forward Olivers Murnieks in the fourth round, 124th overall, at the NHL Draft in KeyBank Center. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Murnieks registered seven goals, 30 points, 14 penalty minutes and a minus-23 rating in 31 games with the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Saint John Sea Dogs last season.

Buffalo Sabres News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 27

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Olivers Murnieks, Doman Szongoth

Buffalo Sabres News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 27

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Olivers Murnieks

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

Buffalo Sabres News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 27

Trading for Olen Zellweger gives Sabres defenseman with qualities similar to Bowen Byram

ORCHARD PARK – In Olen Zellweger, the Buffalo Sabres traded for a defenseman who Jarmo Kekalainen said possesses “a lot of the same qualities” of Bowen Byram.

Buffalo Sabres News / Daily Faceoff / June 27

Sabres’ Daxon Rudolph hadn’t talked to team until day of draft

A big part of the process leading up to the NHL Draft is the relationship building that comes with pre-draft interviews at the combine. It’s an opportunity for teams to get to know a player’s personality, which is a big part of the consideration as to whether or not they will fit in with the culture of the organization.

Buffalo Sabres News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / June 26

Instead of trading first-rounders, Sabres take Daxon Rudolph and Ilia Morozov in NHL Draft

ORCHARD PARK – As the first round of Friday’s NHL Draft approached and he held two first-round picks – the fourth and 20th selections – general manager Jarmo Kekalainen informed other teams the Buffalo Sabres had all their options open.

Buffalo Sabres News / The Hockey Writers / June 26

Sabres Draft Ilia Morozov 20th Overall

With the 20th pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have selected Ilia Morozov from Miami University (Ohio) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Ilia Morozov is an excellent center prospect whose well-rounded game earned him a lot of attention in the NCAA this season.

Buffalo Sabres News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

Sabres select Ilia Morozov No. 20 overall in 2026 NHL Draft

One of the youngest players in this year’s draft has heard his name called. On Friday night, the host Buffalo Sabres selected forward Ilia Morozov, 17, with the No.

Buffalo Sabres News / Ball Exclusives / June 26

Sabres select Rudolph fourth overall

The Buffalo Sabres have selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph fourth overall. The Sabres acquired the pick from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Bowen Byram trade days before the draft.

Buffalo Sabres News / The Hockey Writers / June 26

Sabres Draft Daxon Rudolph 4th Overall

With the fourth pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have selected Daxon Rudolph from the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Buffalo Sabres News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

Sabres select Daxon Rudolph No. 4 overall in 2026 NHL Draft

The first defenseman is off the board in a first round full of talented ones. The Buffalo Sabres selected Daxon Rudolph, 18, with the fourth-overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft Friday night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Zach Benson News / Field Level Media / June 25

Sabres sign F Zach Benson to $54.5M deal through 2032-33

The Buffalo Sabres signed 21-year-old forward Zach Benson to a seven-year, $52.5 million deal, keeping him from becoming a restricted free agent. Instead, Benson now is under contract through the 2032-33 season, the club announced Wednesday night.

Buffalo Sabres News / Inside The Rink / June 25

What Do The Buffalo Sabres Do At Pick Four

The Buffalo Sabres yesterday acquired the fourth overall pick, along with the 45th overall pick, and Louis Crevier. The Sabres sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Blackhawks.

Zach Benson News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 24

Sabres sign Zach Benson to a seven-year extension

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Zach Benson to a seven-year extension.

Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch moves show Capitals still believe title window is open

Chicago Blackhawks acquire Bowen Byram in another blockbuster NHL trade

The 'Active 40-goal NHL seasons' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 24

Latest moves show Capitals still believe title window is open

Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch moves show Capitals still believe title window is open

The Washington Capitals are not messing around this offseason, and they are making it very clear that they still see themselves as Stanley Cup contenders in the very near future.

Capitals deal Connor McMichael, 16th pick to Blues for Jordan Kyrou

Making sense of the NHL trade landscape after a seismic Tuesday

Have the Senators found their replacement for Brady Tkachuk in William Eklund?

The 'Active 40-goal NHL seasons' quiz

Alex Tuch News / NHL Trade Talk / June 24

Eastern Contender Looking at Sign-And-Trade as Alex Tuch Confirmed To Be Leaving Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres appear to be heading toward a significant roster change this offseason, with veteran forward Alex Tuch reportedly not expected to re-sign with the organization.

Bowen Byram News / NHL Trade Talk / June 23

Sabres Might Flip No. 4 Pick from Byram Trade for Impact Player

The Buffalo Sabres acquired the No. 4 pick in the NHL Draft when they moved Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. But don’t expect the Sabres to hold onto that pick, if they can help it.