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Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

Sabres’ Contention Window Is Just Opening

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Zach Berta | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 8:25 AM ET

The Buffalo Sabres sit second in the Atlantic Division and tied for second in the league with 100 points, which is their first season reaching the 100-point mark since the 2009-10 season. They’ve exceeded all expectations this season, and with how well their roster is built and the prospects in the system, it’s safe to say their window for contention is just opening.

Forward Core Has Untapped Potential

The Sabres are one of the best teams when it comes to scoring this season, with 263 goals, which ranks third in the NHL. It’s all led by Sabres’ superstar, Tage Thompson, who has 38 goals and 40 assists for 78 points.

Besides Thompson, who leads the way, there’s Alex Tuch, whose future is still unknown past this season as a Sabre, as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Then you get into Josh Norris, whom the Sabres traded for from the Ottawa Senators last season, and when he’s been healthy, he’s been elite. This season, he has recorded 27 points in 38 games played.

There are many more players who have so much more potential: Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, and Josh Doan, who was acquired from the Utah Mammoth over the offseason and has turned into one of the better two-way forwards in the entire league.

Outside of Tuch, everyone in the forward core is under contract mid to long term, and it is exactly what is going to keep the Sabres in playoff contention for at least the next five seasons.

Not only does the forward core have players in the middle of their primes, but Benson is only 20, Jiri Kulich is 21, and Noah Ostlund is 22. The youth is there, players that are in the Sabres’ future plans to hopefully help bring a Stanley Cup to the city of Buffalo.

Defense Core Is One of the Best in the League

Moving over to the defense, it has been one of the best blue lines in the NHL this season. They have the second-most goals by a defense unit (52), only trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets. They also have the fourth most total points by a defense unit (193).

Some would argue that the Sabres have the best top four in the league. Led by captain Rasmus Dahlin, who is second on the team in points (67) and is a Norris Trophy candidate year in and year out. Bowen Byram, who was being shopped in trades over the summer, has also been phenomenal this season. He’s rounded out his game into more of a two-way defenseman; however, he has still recorded 38 points thus far.

Then there’s Owen Power, who seems to get the short end of the stick in Buffalo. He’s been silently good this season, especially defensively. He isn’t your typical physical defenseman; however, he knows where to be at all times and just keeps getting smarter as his career progresses.

Lastly, Mattias Samuelsson, who has had a remarkable bounce-back season. Offensively, defensively, he’s been physical, and is one of the league’s most improved players this season. If he continues his strong play beyond this season, he could quietly become a top-20 defenseman in the league.

The best part of their top-four? They all signed long-term deals, except Byram, who is eligible for an extension come July 1, as he only signed a two-year deal last offseason.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Has Become Legit Starter

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been the anchor to the Sabres’ success this season. There were big questions regarding him and his future in Buffalo heading into the season, as he had a brutal 2024-25 season. Since Dec. 9, Luukkonen has proved he is the Sabres’ future in the crease.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

Since Dec. 9, 2025, Luukkonen has a save percentage (SV%) of .914 (6th), a goals-against average of 2.59 (12th), and a goals saved above expected (GSAx) of 14.1 (6th). Not only is he helping the Sabres win hockey games, but statistically he is a top-10 goaltender in the NHL.

A big area a team needs to be good at if they want to be a real contender is goaltending, and the Sabres seem to have their long-term answer in net.

Prospects in the Pipeline

When it comes to contenders, prospects usually don’t matter because they generally need NHL-ready players, but the Sabres have been building their prospect pipeline since 2021. They have had a few players this season make the full-time jump to the NHL and have made an impact, like Noah Ostlund and Zach Metsa, who have exceeded expectations this season.

The Sabres have top prospects in the system in Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka, whom I’d expect to be on the Sabres roster within the next couple of seasons. Helenius, I’d expect to be on the roster out of training camp next season, as he has torn it up in the minors this season with 55 points in 54 games played.

If by chance Tuch is not back in Buffalo next season, I’d look for Helenius to step into the lineup to help fill the void. If Tuch does re-sign, Helenius just adds more forward depth, which helps the Sabres tremendously.

Mrtka still has a couple of years before I see him cracking the roster, which is one reason the Sabres are using him as a trade chip, but if he stays in the Sabres’ pipeline long enough to see NHL ice time, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Other notable prospects include Maxim Strbak, who just signed his entry-level contract, Brodie Ziemer, and Buffalo native Gavin McCarthy.

The Sabres’ window for contention is just opening now, and it will show that their current season is not a fluke. They are showing the NHL world that they have arrived and will be looking to bring Lord Stanley to the city of Buffalo.