The Buffalo Sabres’ initial 23-man roster for the 2026-27 season released Monday features three goalies, six defensemen and 14 forwards.
Goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon and defenseman Olen Zellweger, all of whom suffered injuries in preseason games last week, are listed on the roster.
One rookie, forward Konsta Helenius, made the team.
The Sabres reached the 23-man limit by placing six players, including defensemen Mattias Samuelsson, who is week to week after suffering a lower-body injury blocking a shot last Tuesday, and Conor Timmins on injured reserve.
Timmins, who has a lower-body, according to the team, crashed awkwardly into the end boards in the third period of Saturday afternoon’s preseason finale, a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He stayed in the game and took three more shifts.
The Sabres, who had Sunday and Monday off, open the season Thursday on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will likely provide more clarity on the roster and injuries following today’s practice in KeyBank Center.
Teams, of course, rarely carry just six defensemen. But going without an extra defender for perhaps a short time possibly outweighed the risk of losing a player, possibly a forward, on waivers.
Ruff said Luukkonen left Saturday’s game after tweaking something on his lower body. Lyon suffered what appeared to be a left shoulder injury in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime road loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
If Luukkonen or Lyon can’t play Thursday, the Sabres will likely utilize goalie Colten Ellis.
Zellweger suffered a concussion in last Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Columbus. Ruff said Friday the newcomer is in concussion protocol and has been skating.
The Sabres also placed goalie Topias Leinonen (lower body), defenseman Jack Rathbone (lower body) and wingers Conor Sheary (upper body) and Jason Zucker (sports hernia) on injured reserve.
Leinonen and Rathbone have already joined the Rochester Americans.