Samuelsson was originally announced as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but has made a quick recovery and will draw into the lineup for Buffalo's season opener vs. Columbus on Thursday. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025-26, putting up career highs in nearly all statistical categories with his 14-goal, 41-point line across 78 games played to go alongside his +41 plus/minus.
The Sabres faced some goaltending concerns heading into the regular season, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) and Alex Lyon (upper body) both battling injuries, but Luukkonen will be ready to suit up for the team's season opener. The 27-year-old Luukkonen had a solid 2025-26 season while sharing the crease, primarily with Lyon, posting a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 appearances (22-9-3). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favorites agianst the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Gilbert has spent most of his career in the AHL, but injuries on Buffalo's blueline have earned him a call-up from Rochester (AHL) to start the season. The 29-year-old defenseman spent the 2025-26 season with the Ottawa Senators organization, playing 31 games with Belleville (AHL).
Samuelsson was originally announced as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but seems to be on the shorter end of the recovery timetable after the Sabres announced Wednesday that he has a chance to appear in their season opener vs. Columbus on Thursday. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025-26, putting up career highs in nearly all statistical categories with his 14-goal, 41-point line across 78 games played to go alongside his +41 plus/minus.
Zellweger will miss Buffalo's opening night matchup vs. Columbus but has a chance to return for the teams home opener on Saturday vs. Chicago. The 23-year-old was acquired from Anaheim in the offseason and is recovering from a concussion sustained in the preseason. He is expected to be a key part of Buffalo's defensive unit this season after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 GP with Anaheim last season.
Luukkonen left the Sabres' final preseason game with a lower-body injury but was back on the ice for Tuesday's practice. He told reporters that his departure from Saturday's game was precautionary, and he felt fine in practice. That should put Luukkonen in line to start Thursday's season opener.
Timmins has struggled to stay healthy at the NHL level, failing to surpass 52 games played in all but one of his seven seasons and will start the 2026-27 campaign on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old appeared in 39 games for the Sabres last season, picking up eight assists, 18 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus.
Kulich only appeared in 12 games with the Sabres in 2025-26 due to injury, but was removed from Thursday's preseason game vs. Detroit for precautionary reasons. The 22-year-old was Buffalo's 2022 1st-round pick (28th overall) and is hoping for a breakout campaign after putting up 18 goals, 29 points, and 154 SOG across 75 GP in the last two seasons. He is expected to return to Sabres' practice on Saturday.
Zellweger is expected to play a key part on Buffalo's blueline this season and is expected to be ready for the Sabres' opening night game on October 1st vs. Columbus after a concussion derailed his preseason. The 23-year-old was acquired in a trade with Anaheim in the offseason, after putting up seven goals, 22 points and 34 PIMs in 76 games in 2025-26.
Kulich only appeared in 12 games with the Sabres in 2025-26 due to injury and was removed from Thursday's preseason game vs. Detroit for precautionary reasons. The 22-year-old was Buffalo's 2022 1st-round pick (28th overall) and is hoping for a breakout campaign after putting up 18 goals, 29 points, and 154 SOG across 75 GP in the last two seasons.
Lyon had a scare on Thursday, leaving Buffalo's preseason game vs. Detroit with an upper-body injury in the 2nd period. The 33-year-old is expected to be evaluated on Friday, as the Sabres update us on his status heading into their season opener vs. Columbus on October 1st. Lyon was expected to split time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen this season, but will likely be replaced by Colten Ellis if he is forced to miss any time.
Samuelsson exited Tuesday's preseason game after suffering a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the start of the season, out week-to-week. The 26-year-old defenseman had a breakout 2025-26 season, playing predominantly alongside Rasmus Dahlin, scoring 41 points (13G / 28A) and registering a +41 plus/minus in 78 games.
