Trapped in the NHL`s most protracted rebuild with no clear end in sight, the Buffalo Sabres were anticipated to surpass division rivals Ottawa and Montreal. However, last season saw both those teams qualify for the playoffs, leaving the Sabres behind. Buffalo`s point production declined, they slid in the standings, and as they approach the 2025-26 season, they once again feel like a cursed franchise without a defined path forward.
With the majority of their young core committed to long-term contracts, General Manager Kevyn Adams has essentially set his course for the team`s development. Despite overseeing a roster that has seen consecutive years of decline, Adams remains at the helm and recently faced a challenge when JJ Peterka, last year`s second-highest scorer, requested a trade.
It`s been said before, and it bears repeating: this is a pivotal year for the Sabres to finally achieve a breakthrough. While another disappointing outcome wouldn`t be surprising, the team possesses immense potential on paper. The crucial question is whether they can harness it effectively.
Another failure to perform could trigger additional trade requests or, more alarmingly, plunge the franchise back into an even more extended rebuild.
Newcomer to Watch: Michael Kesselring
Last season, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and Mattias Samuelsson comprised Buffalo`s top defensive quartet, yet all are left-handed shots. Michael Kesselring, acquired in the Peterka trade, addresses this gap, bringing a much-needed right-shot presence to the blue line. During Utah`s injury-plagued season, Kesselring stepped up, delivering a quietly impressive breakout performance that the Sabres hope will become more prominent in 2025-26. The 25-year-old ranked sixth in primary assists at 5-on-5 among all NHL blueliners last season, and with him on the ice, Utah generated 56 percent of high-danger scoring chances. Kesselring will assume a larger, more defined role in Buffalo, facing unprecedented pressure. While forgetting Peterka will be challenging for the Sabres and their fans, a strong season from Kesselring could facilitate that transition.
Under-the-Radar Player to Watch: Jack Quinn
Two years after a torn Achilles tendon and a broken leg limited him to just 27 games in 2023-24, the hope is that Quinn has fully recovered and can push for a top-six role. His playing style, despite defensive shortcomings, is better suited for an offensive position, but he has yet to consistently produce enough to be a reliable scoring-line player. In his 21-year-old season three years ago, Quinn recorded 14 goals and 37 points, barely exceeding those totals in 2024-25. Can he elevate his game further, or will his position on the depth chart remain ambiguous? The Sabres face a significant challenge in replacing Peterka`s offensive output, and Quinn represents a crucial X-Factor in this regard. Both were drafted in the same year (Quinn in the first round, Peterka in the second), and in 2022-23, Quinn outscored his then-teammate by a few goals and points. The question remains: is that high-upside version of Quinn still present?
Top Prospect: Radim Mrtka
With numerous young players already integrated into the NHL lineup, Radim Mrtka has quickly ascended to the top of Buffalo`s prospect pool after being drafted ninth overall this past June. A towering 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman, Mrtka started last season in Czechia before making a mid-season move to WHL Seattle, where he saw a substantial increase in ice time and finished as the team`s top-scoring defenseman in 43 games. Sportsnet scout Jason Bukala ranked Mrtka 10th in his draft class, highlighting his exceptionally good skating and puck-handling abilities for his size. Mrtka is expected to attend Buffalo`s rookie camp later this month but will return to WHL Seattle for the 2025-26 season after signing an entry-level contract with the Sabres. In 2026-27, Mrtka could potentially benefit from a new CBA and a revised NHL-CHL agreement, allowing him to play in the AHL as a 19-year-old rather than being forced to remain in major junior if he`s not yet NHL-ready.
Three Key Questions
- 1. Can Josh Norris maintain his health and consistently perform as a reliable first-line center?
When the Sabres opted to trade struggling young center Dylan Cozens, they assumed considerable risk by acquiring Josh Norris. Plagued by multiple shoulder injuries, Norris has played only 8, 50, and 56 games in each of the last three seasons, yet he is Buffalo`s highest-paid forward under a long-term contract. In the 2021-22 season, Norris netted 35 goals for the Senators in 66 games, and his 21 goals in 56 games last season offered a glimmer of hope that he could regain that level of production. After being traded in March, he appeared in just three games for the Sabres, tallying one goal and one assist, but missed the remainder of the season with a torn oblique. Norris asserts he is now fully healthy and prepared for the new season, but only time will reveal how his body withstands the rigors of professional hockey.
- 2. Can Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen solidify his position as Buffalo`s starting goaltender?
In many respects, this is a make-or-break year for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. However, even if he fails to perform consistently and secure the starting role for the entire season, the Sabres will face significant difficulty shedding the financial commitment they made to him in 2024. Luukkonen carries a $4.75 million cap hit and is under contract through the 2028-29 season. Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Luukkonen`s statistics worsened, with his Goals Against Average (GAA) climbing from 2.57 to 3.20 and his Save Percentage dropping from .910 to .887. Among all NHL goalies who played over 41 games last season, he registered the fourth-worst Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) metric. Meanwhile, Devon Levi continues to make a case for an NHL opportunity with his play in the AHL, and Buffalo has signed veteran Alex Lyon as a backup. This marks yet another critical season for the Sabres to establish a foothold in the playoff race, and Luukkonen`s performance will be central to their success.
- 3. What impact will Josh Doan have on the lineup?
While Kesselring was discussed earlier, Josh Doan is the other player acquired in the Peterka trade, ensuring he will be closely watched from the outset. Last season with Utah, Doan played relatively sheltered third-line minutes, contributing 19 points in 51 games, and was nearly a point-per-game player in 28 AHL contests. He will contend for a top-six forward spot when training camp begins, but it wouldn`t be a setback if he ultimately settles into a third-line role; in fact, that might be his most probable starting position. The 23-year-old is still developing, reportedly possesses an excellent attitude, and brings a strong forechecking game to the ice.
