The Buffalo Sabres returned to practice on Wednesday as the NHL gets ready to resume its season following the conclusion of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Buffalo currently holds the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 70 points with a 32-19-6 record. This position places them five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals, who are the two teams just outside the playoff cutoff line in the East.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff emphasized that the coaching staff’s current focus is on conditioning and fostering competitive intensity, given the demanding schedule awaiting the team in the closing segment of the regular season.
Jiri Kulich’s Ongoing Health Evaluation and Its Impact on Team Depth
Ruff confirmed that 21-year-old center Jiri Kulich is still skating under medical restrictions due to a blood clot that has kept him out of action since November. Kulich’s next medical evaluation is scheduled for early March, which will determine whether he can begin increasing his hockey-related activities. Until that evaluation, the Sabres cannot rely on Kulich to contribute significantly for the remainder of the season.
Even if cleared, sources note it will take Kulich considerable time to regain full game readiness and return to form. As a result, Buffalo’s general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, faces pressure to acquire additional offensive depth before the NHL trade deadline on March 6. The team appears likely to pursue a versatile top-nine forward who can also provide support on the power play.
Before his diagnosis, Kulich had posted five points, including three goals and two assists, over 12 games.
Contractual No-Trade Clauses Influence Buffalo’s Trade Deadline Strategy
As the Sabres approach the NHL trade deadline, they are positioned as clear buyers aiming to strengthen their roster and secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2011. However, existing contract clauses could affect the team’s maneuverability in trades or player movements.
Key players with no-trade clauses include:
- Rasmus Dahlin – full no-movement clause
- Tage Thompson – no-trade list limited to five teams
- Alex Tuch – no-trade list limited to five teams
- Jason Zucker – no-trade list limited to five teams
- Jordan Greenway – no-trade list limited to five teams
Dahlin and Thompson are considered untouchable, while Zucker, despite being slightly more available, is unlikely to be moved given the franchise’s direction. Tuch, an impending unrestricted free agent, might normally be a trade candidate but will probably remain with Buffalo unless a major offer surfaces. Greenway stands out as a player the Sabres might consider trading to create salary-cap space for next season.
Additionally, for the 2026-27 season, Josh Norris and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be added to the list of players with no-trade clauses—Norris with a 10-team list and Luukkonen with five teams. Both could be trade candidates, though any such moves would more likely occur in the offseason. Trading them before their clauses activate would allow Kekalainen more flexibility to court potential suitors.
Upcoming Schedule Presents Significant Challenges for Buffalo
The Sabres have 25 games remaining in the regular season, and they face a tough restart with a three-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning immediately after the Olympic break. Their remaining games include 13 at home and 12 on the road, with 15 opponents from the Eastern Conference and 10 from the West.
The team will contend with five back-to-back game sets and must navigate two extended homestands consisting of five games between March 7-14 and four games from March 25-31. Between these home stands is a four-game West Coast road trip scheduled for March 17-22.
Buffalo’s closest competitors outside of the playoff group—Columbus and Washington—remain within striking distance, both poised to challenge the Sabres for their wild-card position. Buffalo must face Washington twice (March 12 and April 4) and Columbus once (April 9), which could create critical head-to-head matchups with significant playoff implications.
The Sabres will close the regular season at home against the Dallas Stars on April 15, making every remaining game crucial in determining their postseason fate.
