Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - For the first time in 15 years, the wait for hockey to return in Western New York was more short-lived than others.
The 2025-26 season was a memorable one for the Buffalo Sabres, as the team overcame another very slow start to finally snap an NHL-record playoff drought and return to the postseason. They also were able to capture an Atlantic Division title for the first time since the 2009-10 season along the way.
Once the Sabres got to the playoffs, they downed the Boston Bruins in the opening round, and then took the Montreal Canadiens the distance before losing in a Game 7 overtime.
After the season, the team did go through some slight changes with the key departures of veteran forward Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram.
In their place, Buffalo went out and acquired defensemen Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks and Louis Crevier from the Chicago Blackhawks, while entrusting the growth of the youth in the lineup up front to fill the void left by Tuch.
Other than that, a large chunk of the lineup that thrived last season is returning this year, including some notable names that signed long-term extensions this offseason like Josh Doan, Peyton Krebs, Beck Malenstyn, Zach Benson and Noah Östlund.
Can the Sabres build off the success of last season and return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Let's take a look at five bold predictions for the upcoming season that may have a substantial impact for the Sabres:
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius celebrates with teammates after scoring a first-period goal against the Montréal Canadiens in Game 5 of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on May 14, 2026. Joe Hrycych - Getty Images
1.) Konsta Helenius finishes a finalist for the Calder Trophy
There is so much to like about Helenius' overall game, and he's not even old enough to drink yet.
As a 19-year-old playing in the American Hockey League last season, Helenius was a point per-game player with 63 points (21+42) in 63 games played with the Rochester Americans. He was able to build and produce those numbers after a rookie season in North America where he put up 35 points (14+21) in 65 games as an 18-year-old.
The two-way, cerebral play has always been present with Helenius, and even in his couple years of play in North America has shown to be willing to become more physical and play like a pest. The question with Helenius' play has been what his offensive ceiling would look like as he progressed through his development. Can he be a solid, consistent, middle-six producer at center that can be reliable at both ends of the ice, or does he have that potential of being able to drive play at both ends and be a top producer offensively?
This upcoming season will be telling, as Helenius is set to make the NHL roster and likely start off on the third line. Head coach Lindy Ruff seems to have a lot of faith in the Finn, and feels there another level of his game he can get to at the top level.
While maybe winning Rookie of the Year will be tough in a very talented class of first-year players - Gavin McKenna (TOR), Ivar Stenberg (SJS), Anton Frondell (CHI), Cole Hutson (WSH), Porter Martone (PHI) and others - Helenius certainly has a leg up on most rookies with a taste of NHL experience, especially playing in the playoffs last year.
Whether or not he wins the award this season really matters, but if he gets to that other gear like he did last season in Rochester, the sky's the limit for Helenius.
Bold Prediction: 18 goals, 39 assists, 57 points
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Doan warms up before a game against the Montréal Canadiens in Game 2 of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on May 8, 2026. Joe Hrycych - Getty Images
2.) Josh Doan fills Alex Tuch's hole in the lineup
Don't think many had a 52-point season in the cards for Doan in his first season with the Sabres, after coming over from the Utah Mammoth during the 2025 offseason in the JJ Peterka trade.
The 24-year-old has really embraced his opportunity with the Sabres, so much so that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has identified him as one of the core pieces in Buffalo going forward, and rewarded Doan with a massive seven-year contract extension worth $6.95 million per-year during last season.
Upon his arrival to Buffalo, Doan got looks on the power play and other key situations, and those responsibilities only increased as the season progressed. While did not play any time on the penalty kill like Tuch did, Doan's defensive metrics are solid enough where if he had to be called upon to defend on the penalty kill, he could probably do it.
Doan averaged an ice-time of 15:52 per-game in the regular season, and increased to 16:19 in the playoffs. Expect those numbers to increase, especially with him skating on the top line with Josh Norris and Tage Thompson. And with more ice-time and being a top-six forward, it'll allow for more chances to create offense and produce on the scoresheet.
While it will remain to be seen who can replace Tuch's presence in the locker room, Doan may be a good candidate for that down the road with his maturity and strong leadership pedigree, being the son of longtime NHLer Shane Doan.
The Sabres will be expecting another big step from Doan this season, and are banking on him becoming an integral piece on and off the ice for many more years to come.
Bold Prediction: 31 goals, 36 assists, 67 points
Boston, Mass. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power celebrates a goal scored by defenseman Bowen Byram against the Boston Bruins during the second period of Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2026. Maddie Meyer - Getty Images
3.) Owen Power pushes the 60-point mark
While there have been detractors to Owen Power's game during his time in Buffalo, there was little denying that he was, arguably, the most reliable defenseman during the Sabres' playoff run last season. Even when he injured his ankle during the second-round series against the Canadiens, Power fought through it and still played at a level not seen of him in Buffalo.
And while it was the preseason, Power looked ready to carry over that strong play from the postseason with confidence and swagger in his play.
While last season saw Power's offensive production on the stat sheet dip a bit, it was because he was not playing as much time on the power play. But he became an overall better defenseman in both ends of the ice, and it all came together for Power when it mattered most in the playoffs.
Heading into this season, Power appears to be getting ready for more power play time again, while possibly stepping up his overall game further in Year 6 with the Sabres.
So far in his career in Buffalo, Power's best offensive production came in the 2024-25 season with 40 points (7+33) in 79 games.
If he can continue to play with that same confidence on and off the puck and take the added responsibilities in stride, it may be a season Power not only sets a career high in points, but explodes and creeps into the higher end of scoring among defensemen in the league.
Bold Prediction: 13 goals, 46 assists, 59 points
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger takes part in his first practice with the team at training camp on Sept. 17, 2026 at LECOM Harborcenter. Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
4.) Olen Zellweger replicates Bowen Byram's offensive production
While Zellweger may not be the defensive presence Byram was for the Sabres, he may be just as dangerous as an offensive threat from the back end.
The 23-year-old is an exceptional skater that can move up-and-down the ice very well, being able to jump up on an offensive rush or quickly get back in an attempt to defend in his own end. While he doesn't boast the same size and stature as Byram, Zellweger can still hold his own physically, while also possessing a good shot.
Last season with the Ducks, Zellweger was able to produce 22 points (7+15) in 76 games, but ended up finding himself as the odd-man out during the playoffs with just three games played, registering a goal and an assist.
With the Sabres, Zellweger has the chance to spread his wings and fill a key role due to Byram's departure. While his preseason concussion may set him back slightly, Zellweger is likely to get some added ice-time in Buffalo playing on the power play, and also contributing - when needed - on the penalty kill.
The Sabres are banking on Zellweger to produce offensively and put up similar production that Byram did, while relying more so on other pieces to shore things up in the defensive end. If he can stay healthy and finds a groove alongside Power on the back end, Zellweger may be in for a solid first season in Buffalo.
Bold Prediction: 9 goals, 33 assists, 42 points
Sabres take goaltender Samuel Meloche with 116th selection in 2025 NHL Draft Elsa - Getty Images
5.) Sabres will acquire a goalie via trade in-season
Will it be Connor Hellebuyck? Will Kekalainen circle back with the Jets and find a way to land the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 Hart Trophy winner?
As of right now, from what's been reported, it doesn't seem like that's in the cards... for now.
Can the Sabres truly rely on their three-goalie rotation to work again after the success the group had last year? If it works, then no need to worry. But the trust and confidence in the goaltending still remains a massive question surrounding this team not just amongst the fans, but pundits around the league.
So if it's not Hellebuyck, then who?
Well, the list of names that have been rumored to be on the trade market may not be so attractive: Adin Hill (VGK), Jordan Binnington (STL), Anthony Stolarz (TOR), Sam Montembeault (MTL) - just to name a few.
It seems like Kekalainen wants to find a way to firmly shore up goaltending in Buffalo, given the way he got so close to acquiring Hellebuyck just before the 2026 NHL Draft. He wants that No. 1 presence in net, and it seems like he's not there yet with any of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon or Colten Ellis.
Bold Prediction: Sabres acquire Filip Gustavsson from the Wild.
Gustavsson is battling an injury to start the season, which opens the door for Jesper Wallstedt to take the reins at the No. 1 goalie in Minnesota. While Gustavsson will get the crease when he is healthy enough to return, Wallstedt is the future in net for the Wild and if the 23-year-old starts off strong, it may be hard for Gustavsson to get consistent minutes.
The 28-year-old has proven over the past few years with the Wild of being a more than capable No. 1 goalie. He's also in the first year of a five-year contract he signed just before the start of last season with an average of $6.8 million.
If the Wild end up making Gustavsson available via trade, he's a goalie Kekalainen may very well call general manager Bill Guerin to inquire about his services.
