Sabres Training Camp 2026

[Brawndo]

 

[Trettioåtta]

For Ellis to remain an RFA, he needs to play 12 games. Will he get 12 games this season?

[JohnC]

3 minutes ago, Trettioåtta said:

For Ellis to remain an RFA, he needs to play 12 games. Will he get 12 games this season?

Probably so. It’s very likely that either one ,if not both, of the goalies  ahead of him will face injuries during the season. 

[LGR4GM]

Here we go again. 

[dudacek]

@Brawndo's link not working for me.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-training-camp-roster-2026

Zellweger confirmed as 8, Crevier has the very nondescript 46, Gilbert with 44 and Sheary with his familiar 43.

One player no one talks about any more is Ryan Johnson, who enters camp on his first-ever one-way contract looking to move ahead of Metsa and Gilbert for some NHL time.

[dudacek]

Using the Sabres listed positions, this is a likely starting depth chart (*plays other position):

CENTRE

• Thompson*
• Norris
• McLeod
• Östlund*
• Kulich*
• Krebs*
• Carrick
• Helenius*
• Kozak
• Peca
• Fiddler-Schultz*
• Bordeleau*
• Kuntar*
• Costantini
• Slaggert*
• Savage

LEFT WING

• Benson
• Zucker
• Malenstyn
• Sheary
• Geertsen
• McDonough
• Warren

RIGHT WING

• Doan
• Quinn
• Danforth
• Myer
• Polin
• Richard
• Funk
• Valente

LEFT DEFENCE

• Samuelsson
• Power
• Zellweger
• Gilbert
• Johnson
• Rathbone

RIGHT DEFENCE

• Dahlin*
• Crevier
• Timmins
• Metsa
• Mrtka
• Komarov
• Strbak
• McCarthy
• Laaouan

GOALIE

• Luukkonen
• Lyon
• Ellis
• VIltalta
• Boyko
• Ratzlaff
• Leinonen

[dudacek]

My best guesses where the battles are:

1) Quinn, Doan, Benson: who gets the bump-up from last year's 15 minutes as the team looks to fill Tuch's 19 hard minutes a night

2) Östlund, Kulich, Helenius, Krebs: who plays with Thompson, who plays centre, do they all dress opening night?

3) Danforth, Carrick, Kozak: who is the odd man (men?) out if everyone is healthy?

4) Crevier, Zellweger, Timmins: who is Power's partner?

5) Gilbert, Johnson: can either unseat Metsa as the 7th D?

6) Goalie: will they roll with last year's setup, or will someone shake things up?

 

[DarthEbriate]

48 minutes ago, dudacek said:

@Brawndo's link not working for me.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-training-camp-roster-2026

Zellweger confirmed as 8, Crevier has the very nondescript 46, Gilbert with 44 and Sheary with his familiar 43.

One player no one talks about any more is Ryan Johnson, who enters camp on his first-ever one-way contract looking to move ahead of Metsa and Gilbert for some NHL time.

Hmmm, 44...  Zhitbert/Gilbnik.

53 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Here we go again. 

Always in a C-3PO voice before Tyderium goes to light speed.

[Night Train]

I'm guessing some of those listed under Center will be on the wing. 

[Taro T]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

Using the Sabres listed positions, this is a likely starting depth chart (*plays other position):

CENTRE

• Thompson*
• Norris
• McLeod
• Östlund*
• Kulich*
• Krebs*
• Carrick
• Helenius*
• Kozak
• Peca
• Fiddler-Schultz*
• Bordeleau*
• Kuntar*
• Costantini
• Slaggert*
• Savage

LEFT WING

• Benson
• Zucker
• Malenstyn
• Sheary
• Geertsen
• McDonough
• Warren

RIGHT WING

• Doan
• Quinn
• Danforth
• Myer
• Polin
• Richard
• Funk
• Valente

LEFT DEFENCE

• Samuelsson
• Power
• Zellweger
• Gilbert
• Johnson
• Rathbone

RIGHT DEFENCE

• Dahlin*
• Crevier
• Timmins
• Metsa
• Mrtka
• Komarov
• Strbak
• McCarthy
• Laaouan

GOALIE

• Luukkonen
• Lyon
• Ellis
• VIltalta
• Boyko
• Ratzlaff
• Leinonen

RW looks quite thin until we realize Thompson likely end up there.  LW looks thin too until we realize at least 1 of Kulich or Östlund will be playing wing as well.

But, 9 guys that legitimately could play C in the NHL out of their top 14 F's is a nice luxury that most team can't come close to.

[French Collection]

1 hour ago, Night Train said:

I'm guessing some of those listed under Center will be on the wing. 

I shudder to see Conor Sheary’s name so high on the depth chart.

[tom webster]

1 hour ago, French Collection said:

I shudder to see Conor Sheary’s name so high on the depth chart.

Sheary’s the 15th/16th forward. I wouldn’t worry too much.

[Eleven]

3 hours ago, dudacek said:

CENTRE

Do you people really spell it that way?  Or just to mess with Americans?

[Flashsabre]

Norris, Kulich, McLeod, Carrick might be the centre spine

Thompson, Östlund, Helenuis, Krebs can all play centre but might end up on the wing. I think Östlund is a better centre than Kulich but Lindy seems to like Kulich in the middle

[nfreeman]

Speaking of Ryan Johnson:  I assume he can be sent down without having to clear waivers, innit?  How many more seasons before he does have to go through waivers?

[shrader]

18 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

Speaking of Ryan Johnson:  I assume he can be sent down without having to clear waivers, innit?  How many more seasons before he does have to go through waivers?

He has to clear waivers. 

[...]

2 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Norris, Kulich, McLeod, Carrick might be the centre spine

Thompson, Östlund, Helenuis, Krebs can all play centre but might end up on the wing. I think Östlund is a better centre than Kulich but Lindy seems to like Kulich in the middle

I don't think Lindy has most of the lines and positions set in stone, yet. The 4th line wingers, maybe. He has a lot of opportunities to move players around right now, and lots of variables, perhaps more than ever as Sabres' coach.

[mjd1001]

13 hours ago, dudacek said:

Using the Sabres listed positions, this is a likely starting depth chart (*plays other position):

CENTRE

• Thompson*
• Norris
• McLeod
• Östlund*
• Kulich*
• Krebs*
• Carrick
• Helenius*
• Kozak
• Peca
• Fiddler-Schultz*
• Bordeleau*
• Kuntar*
• Costantini
• Slaggert*
• Savage

 

12 hours ago, Night Train said:

I'm guessing some of those listed under Center will be on the wing. 

Always wondered about this...does the league, the NHL itself, accept "Centre" or "Center" as the correct spelling of the position?  Or is it something like when you go to the league website, if it detects you are in Canada it displays it with the 're' and if it dectects you are in the USA it shows the 'er'?

[Pimlach]

17 hours ago, Trettioåtta said:

For Ellis to remain an RFA, he needs to play 12 games. Will he get 12 games this season?

Pretty safe to say that no one can predict what will happen.   

They could get Helley, then a goalie will have be traded and a cut down to 2 goalies could happen as well.  

They are likely to start the season the way the ended the last one.  Rotate three goalies and the hot one plays the most games.   I think they want to see all 3 in action and they are hopeful that Ellis is going to improve.  

[Pimlach]

15 hours ago, dudacek said:

My best guesses where the battles are:

1) Quinn, Doan, Benson: who gets the bump-up from last year's 15 minutes as the team looks to fill Tuch's 19 hard minutes a night

2) Östlund, Kulich, Helenius, Krebs: who plays with Thompson, who plays centre, do they all dress opening night?

3) Danforth, Carrick, Kozak: who is the odd man (men?) out if everyone is healthy?

4) Crevier, Zellweger, Timmins: who is Power's partner?

5) Gilbert, Johnson: can either unseat Metsa as the 7th D?

6) Goalie: will they roll with last year's setup, or will someone shake things up?

 

My guesses to your guesses. 

1. Doan - Ruff likes the long reach and Doan is a fantastic puck stealer.   They will need Benson to drive offense.   

2. Östlund, center is played by both Östlund and Thompson.  Ruff like to shuffle things.  

3.  Kozak 

4.  Timmins gets the first look with Power, then Crevier get a look

5.  Metsa is a better player than Gilbert/Johnson

6.  Probably last years lineup and approach, but I prefer bringing in Helley (at the right price) 

Edited September 16 by Pimlach

[LGR4GM]

10 hours ago, shrader said:

He has to clear waivers. 

Wonder if he would. To bad Winnipeg doesn't need a 3rd pair LHD. 

[LGR4GM]

3 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

My guesses to your guesses. 

1. Doan - Ruff likes the long reach and Doan is a fantastic puck stealer.   They will need Benson to drive offense.   

2. Östlund, center is played by both Östlund and Thompson.  Ruff like to shuffle things.  

3.  Kozak 

4.  Timmins gets the first look with Power, then Crevier get a look

5.  Metsa is a better player than Gilbert/Johnson

6.  Probably last years lineup and approach, but I prefer bringing in Helley (at the right price) 

I wonder so much about this. They were fine with LHD/LHD on that pair last year after Kesselring was bad but it makes so much sense to give Timmins and Crevier the chance this year and let Zellweger run the 3rd pair. Guess we shall see. 

When is the first practice? Tomorrow?

[Pimlach]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I wonder so much about this. They were fine with LHD/LHD on that pair last year after Kesselring was bad but it makes so much sense to give Timmins and Crevier the chance this year and let Zellweger run the 3rd pair. Guess we shall see. 

When is the first practice? Tomorrow?

First practice of camp is tomorrow (Thursday).  

[Stads]

20 hours ago, JohnC said:

Probably so. It’s very likely that either one ,if not both, of the goalies  ahead of him will face injuries during the season. 

Hellebuyck is getting hurt?

[DarthEbriate]

6 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

Always wondered about this...does the league, the NHL itself, accept "Centre" or "Center" as the correct spelling of the position?  Or is it something like when you go to the league website, if it detects you are in Canada it displays it with the 're' and if it dectects you are in the USA it shows the 'er'?

Advantage: Sabres.