Buffalo Sabres: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Sabres News & Rumors: Injury Updates, Preseason Is Halfway Over and More

The Buffalo Sabres are halfway through their preseason and are now one week away from their season opener when they take on the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Oct.

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Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson out week-to-week; Olen Zellweger in concussion protocol

It appears the Buffalo Sabres could be starting their season without a couple of key blueliners. On Wednesday, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, and defenseman Olen Zellweger is in concussion protocol.

Radim Mrtka News / Sabre Noise / September 23

Radim Mrtka's NHL debut might come sooner than expected amid Sabres injuries

Radim Mrtka was on the outside looking in on most roster projections early in the Buffalo Sabres' training camp. He will eventually be a key piece of the blue line and could play NHL games this season, but it didn't seem like he would get that opportunity on opening night.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Buffalo Sabres News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Sabres’ Blue‑Line Options if Samuelsson and Zellweger Face Extended Absences

The Buffalo Sabres played their second preseason game on Tuesday night, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5–1. It was the first preseason matchup featuring their full NHL roster, as most teams typically showcase their regular lineup on home ice for their fans.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 23

NHL pundit says Sabres may have found the 'secret sauce' to UPL's success

Although there have been moments over the past four years where it appeared Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was emerging as a true starter-level NHL talent, he's never been able to sustain peak form over an extended stretch.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 23

Buffalo Sabres prospect praised as 'the kind of player coaches trust'

The Buffalo Sabres are placing a heavy emphasis on the progression of young players in 2026-27, which means head coach Lindy Ruff will be tasked with deciding which members of that emerging future core can be trusted to take the ice in critical situations.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 23

Buffalo Sabres have two surprising reunion options after preseason injuries

The Buffalo Sabres lost two key defensemen on Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Mattias Samuelsson suffering an injury after a blocked shot and Olen Zellweger suffering a concussion in the second period.

Olen Zellweger News / Daily Faceoff / September 23

Sabres’ Olen Zellweger in concussion protocol after preseason game

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger suffered a concussion and was forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Zellweger suffered the injury after Blue Jackets defenseman Carson Soucy delivered a hit on the Buffalo defender late in the second period of Tuesday’s game.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / September 22

Olen Zellweger Diagnosed With Concussion After Hard Hit From Carson Soucy

Olen Zellweger is dealing with a concussion after a heavy hit from Carson Soucy left him down on the ice and needing assistance getting to the locker room.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 22

3 Sabres who delivered impressive performances in 5-1 preseason win over Columbus

The Buffalo Sabres took the ice for the first time this preseason in front of the home crowd at KeyBank Center. On Tuesday night, it was a lineup that looked pretty close to what fans are going to expect to see on a nightly basis for the Sabres, and they would cruise to a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 22

Buffalo Sabres see two key defensemen leave early with injuries against Blue Jackets

On the scoreboard, everything seemed to go the Buffalo Sabres way in the second period as they would score three goals to take a commanding 3-0 lead. However, even though they are in line for the win, they could have suffered big losses as Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger left the game with injuries and didn't return in the third period.

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The 'NFL 100-touchdown club' quiz

The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

The 'FBS animal nicknames' quiz

Louis Crevier News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / September 22

Before trade, Sabres’ Louis Crevier beat long odds and developed confidence to stick in NHL

BUFFALO – In his early days with the Chicago Blackhawks, Sabres newcomer Louis Crevier couldn’t settle down. He said he played too nervously, afraid he would make a mistake.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 22

Lindy Ruff drops clues about Sabres' defensive plans for 2026-27 season

Yes, Olen Zellweger has the inside track to join Owen Power on the Buffalo Sabres' second defensive pair when the puck drops on the new NHL season. No, that doesn't mean you should expect Louis Crevier and Conor Timmins to play together regularly.

Justin Danforth News / Sabre Noise / September 22

Justin Danforth trying to navigate crowded path to a Sabres lineup spot

The puck was dropped in the first preseason game for the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The exhibition slate is about the development, looking at players competing for roster spots and deciding what role they end up in.

Jiri Kulich News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / September 22

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress full NHL lineup versus Columbus; Jiri Kulich to keep playing

BUFFALO – With the exception of one goalie, the lineup the Sabres will dress for tonight’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets is likely the one they field for their season opener Oct.

Buffalo Sabres News / The Hockey Writers / September 22

Standouts From Sabres’ First 2026-27 Preseason Game

The Sabres concluded their first bit of hockey action last night as they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 4-1. Most of the Sabres’ main roster was not in attendance, so this game was more a showcase for the kids trying to make an impression, and a warm up for the veterans that did end up playing.

NHL News / Sabre Noise / September 22

Bruins trade candidate named 'attractive rental option' for rival Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have forgone any blockbuster trades or free-agent signings to acquire a high-profile forward following the departure of Alex Tuch. Instead, the front office is making a significant bet on the internal improvement of young players to fill the void.

Buffalo Sabres News / Sabre Noise / September 22

Former Sabres star dominates first preseason game with new team

Maybe Bowen Byram is a No. 1 defenseman after all. While it's obviously far too soon to draw a definitive conclusion, the newly minted Chicago Blackhawks blueliner got off to a roaring start with his new club Monday night, scoring a hat trick in the Hawks' 4-3 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild.

Peyton Krebs News / The Hockey Writers / September 21

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs on Track for Breakout Season

The Buffalo Sabres are seeing their contention window starting to open. Part of it has to do with their plethora of young talent, most of them signed long-term.

Owen Power News / Sabre Noise / September 21

Buffalo Sabres' maligned power play finally grasps a lifeline

File this one under better late than never. Buffalo Sabres assistant Seth Appert said Monday the coaching staff received a comprehensive report from the franchise's analytics team over the summer detailing ideas on how the improve the club's long-suffering power play.

Lindy Ruff News / Buffalo Hockey Beat / September 21