Sabres 2025–26 Season Outlook

Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig | USA TODAY Sports

As the Buffalo Sabres look to break through and end their lengthy playoff drought finally, the 2025–26 season carries a mix of promise and uncertainty. With a talented young core, several intriguing offseason additions, and lingering question marks in goal and on the injury front, Buffalo once again enters the year as one of the NHL’s biggest wild cards. From breakout hopefuls like Zach Benson and Jack Quinn to the steady leadership of Rasmus Dahlin and the scoring power of Tage Thompson, the pieces are there - it’s just a matter of whether this group can stay healthy, consistent, and confident enough to put it all together.

Who is my Sabres breakout candidate for the 2025-26 season?

Zach Benson – After being shuffled through different lines last season and posting solid numbers in his first two campaigns, 20-year-old Zach Benson looks ready for a full-time spot on the top line. He’s currently projected to skate on the left wing alongside Tage Thompson and Josh Norris – a trio that showed real chemistry throughout the preseason. Maintaining that momentum will be crucial if Benson hopes to keep up with those two powerhouses and prove that Buffalo’s young talent can finally develop into consistent top-tier contributors.

Honourable mention: Jack Quinn – With his former linemate, J.J. Peterka now gone, Quinn steps into the spotlight as a key top-six winger expected to help fill the offensive void left by. Drafted 8th overall in 2020, he still carries the upside of a high-level scoring threat, and this season will serve as a critical measure of his long-term role in Buffalo. If he can stay healthy, Quinn has the potential to show he’s the difference-maker the Sabres envisioned on draft day.

What’s the Sabres’ biggest question mark for 2025-26?

Goaltending & Injuries – If the preseason revealed anything, it’s that the Sabres are already dealing with a handful of nagging injuries. Starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and new addition Michael Kesselring are both listed as week-to-week, while three of Buffalo’s top six defensemen have been rotating on and off the injured list. That raises concerns about how healthy this roster will be once the physical grind of the regular season begins.

As for the crease, the Sabres made several offseason moves to bolster their depth, adding Alex Lyon, Colten Ellis, and Alexandar Georgiev (assuming he clears waivers). What initially looked like support for UPL may now turn into a competition for the starting job until he’s back to full health.

Honourable mention: Consistency – The Sabres have struggled to avoid midseason slumps – particularly before the Christmas break – which often derail their playoff hopes. Finding a way to sustain momentum and extend winning streaks beyond one or two games will be key to their success.

Which new addition am I most excited to see?

Michael Kesselring – While currently on injured reserve, Kesselring is coming off an impressive season with the Utah Mammoth. The 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman played all 82 games, recording 29 points (7G, 22A), and capped it off with a gold medal for Team USA at the World Championship in the spring. Known for having the second-hardest shot in the NHL (103.77 mph) behind teammate Tage Thompson (104.69 mph), he brings both size and skill to Buffalo’s blue line. He finished sixth among NHL defensemen in primary assists at five-on-five, and Utah controlled 53% of expected goals and 56% of high-danger chances with him on the ice.

Honourable mention: Josh Norris – While not technically a “new addition,” Norris only appeared in three games with the Sabres last season, so he’s worth highlighting. In that brief stint, he registered two points, a small preview of the offensive punch he could bring to the lineup. Centering the top line with Thompson and Benson, Norris has looked sharp in the preseason, and if he stays healthy, career highs seem well within reach.

Who will be the Sabres’ MVP in 2025-26?

Rasmus Dahlin – The Sabres’ captain remains one of the most underrated defensemen in the league, largely due to Buffalo’s ongoing playoff drought. But anyone watching him closely knows he’s capable of competing for the Norris Trophy this season. Dahlin is an elite two-way defender who can lay a massive hit one shift and lead an end-to-end rush the next. If he stays healthy and logs his usual heavy minutes, his value to Buffalo will be undeniable.

Honourable mention: Tage Thompson – The other obvious candidate. Coming off a 44-goal campaign, Thompson looks poised to push for the 50-goal mark this season. With the Olympics on the horizon, the motivation to earn a Team USA roster spot could give him an extra edge.