This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2026) |
The 2026–27 Buffalo Sabres season will be the 57th season of play for the Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). It is their third season since head coach Lindy Ruff returned to the team and second since general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was hired.
| 2026–27 Buffalo Sabres | |
|---|---|
| Division | Atlantic |
| Conference | Eastern |
| 2026–27 record | 0–0–0 |
| Home record | 0–0–0 |
| Road record | 0–0–0 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Jarmo Kekalainen |
| Coach | Lindy Ruff |
| Captain | Rasmus Dahlin |
| Alternate captains | Mattias Samuelsson Tage Thompson |
| Arena | KeyBank Center |
| Minor league affiliates | Rochester Americans (AHL) TBA (ECHL) |
The Sabres look to improve on their 50–23–9 record.
Off-season
editAfter exceeding expectations and breaking their 14-season playoff drought, Lindy Ruff was signed to a 2 year contract extension on May 20, 2026.[1]
Several players were traded to other teams during or around the 2026 NHL entry draft, which took place in Buffalo. Michael Kesselring was traded to the San Jose Sharks, while Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.[2][3]
Only a few hours before the deadline to submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents, Peyton Krebs and Olen Zellweger were both given extended qualifying offers.[4] On the same day, Beck Malenstyn was extended for 6 years for a total of $17.5 million dollars.[5] Zellweger was eventually signed to a three year contract, worth $3.1 million a year, on July 1.[6]
Draft picks
editBelow are the Buffalo Sabres' selections at the 2026 NHL entry draft, which was held on June 26 and 27, 2026, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | Team (league) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4[A] | Daxon Rudolph | D |  Canada |
Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 1 | 20[B] | Ilia Morozov | C |  Russia |
Miami RedHawks (NCHC) |
| 4 | 124 | Olivers Murnieks | C |  Latvia |
Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) |
| 5 | 156 | Domán Szongoth | C |  Hungary |
KooKoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja) |
| 6 | 188 | Dylan Dumont | RW | Canada |
Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
Notes
- ↑ The Chicago Blackhawks' first-round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on June 23, 2026, that sent Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway to Chicago in exchange for Louis Crevier, the New York Islanders second-round pick in 2026, and this pick.[3]
- ↑ The Edmonton Oilers' first-round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on June 17, 2026, that sent Michael Kesselring and a first-round pick in 2026 (27th overall) to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for this pick.[2]
References
edit- ↑ "Buffalo Sabres sign head coach Lindy Ruff to 2-year contract extension". The Athletic. May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- 1 2 "Kesselring traded to Sharks by Sabres". NHL.com. NHL. 17 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Blackhawks trading No. 4 pick in NHL Draft to Sabres for Byram, Greenway". Sportsnet. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ LaBarber, Jourdon (June 29, 2026). "Sabres extend qualifying offers to Krebs, Zellweger". NHL. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ {{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7405424/2026/06/29/buffalo-sabres-beck-malenstyn-contract-extension-nhl-free-agency/ |title=Sabres re-sign Beck Malenstyn to 6-year, $17.5 million extension |work=[[The Athletic] |date= 2026 |access-date=July 1, 2026}}
- ↑ Dale, Daniel (July 1, 2026). "Sabres sign defenseman Olen Zellweger to three-year contract". WGR. Retrieved July 1, 2026.