Sabres Off-season Recap: The Trades, The Extensions, The New Direction
The NHL offseason is winding down, and with training camp just two weeks away this summer has been nothing short of chaotic across the league. The Phildelphia Flyers offer-sheeted Leo Carlsson (until the Anaheim Ducks matched it), the San Jose Sharks handed Macklin Celebrini the biggest contract in NHL history, and on Friday, the Colorado Avalanche topped it off by signing Cale Makar to an eight‑year deal worth a staggering $20.4 million per season.
For the Buffalo Sabres, it was an offseason defined by tough decisions and major roster reshaping. With Alex Tuch needing a new contract and Bowen Byram becoming eligible for a massive extension on July 1, the front office had to choose between doubling down on the current core or pivoting toward a younger, more flexible foundation. They chose the latter, and made several significant moves that will shape the franchise for years.
Below is every major Sabres offseason move and how each one impacts the team heading into the 2026–27 season.
TRADES
Traded Kesselring to Sharks, 27th Ovr Pick for 20th Ovr Pick
The Sabres traded Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Back in July of 2025, Buffalo was in desperate need of a right‑shot defenseman, prompting them to acquire both Kesselring and Josh Doan from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for J.J. Peterka. While the move paid off tremendously on one hand, with Doan’s emergence as a prominent player, the same could not be said for Kesselring.
Kesselring struggled to find his footing in Buffalo. He appeared in just 33 games last season, recording only two assists. His playoff usage reflected the coaching staff’s lack of trust — he dressed for one game and played only three shifts. With his role diminishing and his development stalling, the Sabres felt it was time to move on.
Luckily, Buffalo was able to turn a disappointing situation into a positive outcome. By moving Kesselring alongside the 27th pick, they climbed seven spots in the draft and ultimately selected Ilya Morozov at No. 20.
This was a smart, proactive move by the Sabres’ front office. They maximized value, corrected a misstep from the previous offseason, and positioned themselves to add a player with a higher ceiling. It’s the kind of subtle but meaningful roster management that helps build long‑term stability.
Traded Byram, Greenway to Blackhawks for 4th Ovr Pick, Louis Crevier, 45th Ovr Pick
The Sabres had a major decision to make with Bowen Byram: either commit to the $12.5 million AAV he was seeking or find a trade partner willing to take on both the player and the contract. Buffalo opted to make the trade. Not only did they move Byram, they also shed Jordan Greenway’s remaining cap hit in the process. In return, the Sabres landed a premium haul, including the fourth overall pick (used to select defenseman Daxon Rudolph), towering defenseman Louis Crevier, and the 45th overall pick.
Financially, this was one of the smartest moves Buffalo made all offseason. Byram is a solid defenseman and played a significant role in the team’s success last season, but with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson already locked in long‑term , the Sabres simply didn’t need to commit that kind of money to another left‑shot defenseman. Allocating $12.5 million per season to a fourth piece on the blue line would have created long‑term cap complications.
There’s no question the Sabres will miss Byram, especially early in the season. He posted career highs across the board last year, with 11 goals, 31 assists, and 42 points, and brought a dynamic offensive element to Buffalo’s transition game. Recognizing this, the Sabres didn’t leave a hole in their lineup for long and, just days after the trade, acquired a replacement.
Byram’s departure was tough, but it was necessary. The return Buffalo secured ensures the team is better positioned for both the present and the future.
Traded Tuch's Rights to Capitals for 2027 3rd Rd Pick, Kampf's rights
The Sabres also had a difficult decision to make with Alex Tuch, ultimately leading to his departure. Buffalo traded his rights to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third‑round pick and the rights to David Kämpf. Immediately after the deal, Washington signed Tuch to an eight‑year contract worth $10.5 million per season.
Tuch was a glue guy for the Sabres from the moment he arrived in the Jack Eichel trade. He made an instant impact on the ice and quickly became a leader in the locker room. Over his four full seasons in Buffalo, he recorded 60‑plus points in three of them, including a 79‑point campaign in 2022–23. The only season he didn’t hit that mark was 2023–24, when he finished with 59 points. He also produced three 30‑goal seasons, including last year’s 33‑goal, 66‑point performance across 79 games.
The Sabres will miss Tuch dearly, and his departure puts pressure on the organization’s young forwards to step into larger roles. Players like Zach Benson, Noah Östlund, Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich, and Jack Quinn will all be asked to help fill the void. Benson, in particular, appears poised to take on a significant portion of Tuch’s responsibilities, likely sliding into a first‑line role and bringing his relentless style to the top of the lineup.
Tuch’s impact won’t be easy to replace, but Buffalo clearly believes its emerging core is ready for the challenge.
Traded Wahlberg, 44th Ovr Pick to Ducks for Zellweger
This trade was a Jarmo Kekalainen masterclass. Just days after moving Bowen Byram, the Sabres acquired his replacement in Olen Zellweger. and did so at a fraction of the cost. All it took was defensive prospect Anton Wahlberg and flipping the 45th overall pick they received in the Byram deal. Shortly after the trade, Buffalo signed Zellweger to a three‑year contract worth $3 million per season, locking in a young, high‑upside defenseman at tremendous value.
Zellweger, now 22, already has two full NHL seasons under his belt. Last year he played 76 games for Anaheim, recording 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) while helping the Ducks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017–18. His numbers don’t fully capture his impact, he’s a dynamic puck‑mover, an aggressive transition player, and one of the most naturally gifted offensive defensemen of his age group.
He’s going to be a massive part of the Sabres’ future, not just this season but for years to come. Zellweger brings an offensive threat from the blue line that Buffalo desperately needed after moving Byram. Now, slotted behind Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power, he’s in the perfect environment to flourish. Buffalo doesn’t need him to be a top‑pair savior right away, they need him to grow, develop, and eventually become a high‑end two‑way defenseman.
His offensive instincts mirror Byram’s strengths, but Zellweger’s ceiling may be even higher. With proper deployment and the right matchups, he has a real chance to become one of the most impactful young defensemen in the league.
I'm excited to see him rock the blue and gold, and you should be too.
Traded Levi, 2028 7th Rd Pick to Oilers for 2028 3rd Rd Pick
The Sabres felt it was time to move on from goaltender Devon Levi, sending him to the Edmonton Oilers, a team in desperate need of a long‑term option in net. It’s unfortunate that things didn’t work out in Buffalo, as just a couple of years ago, Levi was viewed as the franchise’s future starter and the next great goaltender expected to carry the Sabres into their contention window.
But the organization’s direction changed. Recently, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has repeatedly expressed his confidence in Alex Lyon, Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen, and Colten Ellis, making Levi’s eventual departure far less surprising. Even so, it’s still notable that a goaltender who once helped Buffalo push for a playoff spot in 2022–23 is no longer part of the organization.
Levi spent the last two seasons in the AHL with Rochester, continuing his development and showing flashes of the talent that once made him such a highly regarded prospect. With his strong play in the minors and Buffalo’s crowded crease, Kekäläinen felt Levi deserved an opportunity to compete for NHL minutes, just not in Buffalo’s system.
The trade gives Levi a fresh start and gives the Sabres more clarity in their goaltending hierarchy. It’s a move that reflects both the team’s confidence in its current trio and its commitment to building a stable, reliable foundation in net as the franchise moves forward.
SIGNINGS
Signed Benson to Seven-Year Contract
Benson signed a new seven‑year contract worth $7.5 million per season, locking in one of Buffalo’s most important young forwards long‑term. The extension came shortly after his breakout playoff performance, where he recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in 13 games. His regular season was just as impressive, putting up a career high 13 goals, 30 assists, and 43 points across 65 games, solidifying his rise as a core piece of the Sabres’ future.
Benson is widely viewed as Tuch’s replacement in the top six and sits near the top of many breakout‑player lists heading into the season. He won’t overwhelm you with blazing speed or highlight‑reel skating, but he impacts the game in ways that matter: relentless hustle, winning corner battles, creating turnovers, and living in front of the net where he causes chaos. His style is built for playoff hockey, and Buffalo saw that firsthand last spring.
With the salary cap expected to rise significantly in the coming years, this contract has the potential to age extremely well. Benson projecting as a 60‑plus‑point player already makes the deal look strong, but his defensive impact pushes it into “steal” territory. According to Evolving Hockey, he ranked in the 79th percentile league‑wide in defensive impact, elite territory for a 21‑year‑old winger.
Benson isn’t just part of Buffalo’s future; he’s one of the players who will define it.
Signed Krebs to Four-Year Contract
Peyton Krebs signed a four‑year contract worth $4.5 million per season, securing another key piece of Buffalo’s young core. Last year was a breakout campaign for Krebs, as he posted a career high of 12 goals, 27 assists, and 37 points. He also added six points in 13 playoff games, proving he could elevate his game when it mattered most.
For much of the regular season, Krebs thrived on the top line alongside Tage Thompson and Zach Benson. That opportunity played a major role in his offensive jump, allowing him to showcase his playmaking ability and two‑way reliability against top competition. Once the playoffs arrived, his role shifted, and he spent most of his minutes centering the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Tyler Kozak, giving Buffalo a defensively responsible trio that could handle tough matchups and heavy minutes.
Krebs’ versatility is exactly why the Sabres committed to him long‑term. He can play anywhere in the lineup, contribute on both special teams, and adapt to whatever role the coaching staff needs. His new contract reflects the organization’s belief that he’s entering his prime and will continue to be a major part of Buffalo’s success moving forward.
Signed Beck Malenstyn to Six-Year Contract
The Sabres re‑signed Beck Malenstyn to a six‑year contract worth $2.91 million per season. Since being acquired in the 2024 offseason, he has become an important piece of Buffalo’s bottom six. He’s one of their most reliable penalty killers, plays heavy and fast, wins battles in the defensive zone, and brings the kind of physical edge that wears opponents down over the course of a game. Malenstyn does all the little things right, and while his impact often goes unnoticed on the scoresheet, it stands out in the locker room. Without him, it’s fair to wonder whether the Sabres would have had the season they did last year.
This isn’t to say the Sabres miss the playoffs if he’s not in the lineup. It’s simply acknowledging that he plays his role perfectly and is a meaningful part of the team’s success. Every contending team has players who thrive in specific roles, and for Buffalo, Malenstyn is that fourth‑line grinder who sets the tone, kills plays, and makes life miserable for the opposition. His new contract reflects exactly how much the organization values what he brings.
OFFSEASON RECAP: IN
Olen Zellweger
Louis Crevier
20th overall pick (Ilya Morozov)
4th Overall Pick (Daxon Rudolph)
2028 Third round draft pick
2027 Third round draft pick
Offseason Recap: Out
Michael Kesselring
Alex Tuch
Bowen Byram
Jordan Greenway
27th overall draft pick
Anton Wahlberg
45th overall draft pick
Devon Levi
2028 seventh round draft pick
Logan Stanley
Luke Schenn
The Sabres put together a genuinely successful offseason. They managed the salary cap with discipline, made moves that will strengthen the roster both now and years down the road, and sent a clear message that they believe in their young core to take the next step. This offseason wasn't built on desperation, but on vision, patience, and confidence.
If you’re a Sabres fan, you should be ready. Expectations are rising, and with the talent they’ve assembled, Buffalo is positioned to compete near the top of the Atlantic Division this season.
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