The Buffalo Sabres are set to face the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night in their first game since the NHL’s Olympic hiatus, aiming to regain momentum as they pursue a playoff spot. Key players Josh Norris, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Josh Dunne are expected to return from injury, while others like Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Conor Timmins remain sidelined. Tage Thompson’s availability is still uncertain following his gold-medal win with Team USA.
Head coach Lindy Ruff and his staff may experiment with new lineup combinations as the Sabres attempt to reverse their recent form, having lost three of their last four games before the break.
Anton Wahlberg Called Up as Injury Challenges Persist
To address ongoing roster challenges, the Sabres have brought up Anton Wahlberg from their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Wahlberg, the 39th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has shown solid two-way play in Rochester but has yet to make a major offensive breakthrough. He has recorded 25 points (six goals and 19 assists) over 47 games this season.
Standing 6-foot-4, the 20-year-old Swedish center may make his NHL debut if he sees ice time following his call-up, although he could also remain in the press box until the team’s injury situation improves. He is likely to spend another full season developing in the AHL, projected as a potential third- or fourth-line center unless his offensive production increases.
Contract Considerations Influence Recall Strategy
The decision to summon Wahlberg instead of goaltender Konsta Helenius is informed by the NHL’s entry-level slide rule. Helenius has appeared in nine games this season, including a standout three-point performance early in his NHL tenure against the Nashville Predators. If he plays in a tenth game, his three-year entry-level contract will officially begin.
Keeping Helenius in the AHL for the remainder of the season would slide his contract, delaying its start and extending the team-friendly terms by an additional year. Given Buffalo’s current financial constraints and the need to re-sign players like Alex Tuch, maintaining this flexibility is a priority.
As a result, the Sabres may seek to add offensive depth ahead of the March 6 trade deadline to avoid recalling Helenius. However, if injuries worsen and suitable trades are unavailable, the team may have little alternative but to bring him back into the lineup.
Rasmus Dahlin Embraces Leadership Role in Playoff Hunt
After guiding Sweden to the quarterfinals at the Milano Cortina Olympic hockey tournament, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is refocused on the critical stretch of the NHL season. Reflecting on the pressure-filled Olympic environment, Dahlin shared,
“Almost every game was a must-win for us [at the Olympics], so I got a chance to work on handling emotions and handling pressure,”
Dahlin told reporters.
“… I was able to work on my own game in terms of that, and I know what it takes to be on a big stage and play important games, so I think I can bring experience with that [to Buffalo].”
He expressed enthusiasm for the Sabres’ upcoming challenges, stating,
“I’m so excited to get this thing going. We have a really good thing going on, and now the fun begins.”
Buffalo currently holds the top wild-card position in the Eastern Conference with a 32-19-6 record, totaling 70 points—five points ahead of contenders Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals, who are tied for ninth place with 65 points. Despite this promising standing, the playoff landscape remains volatile, and a slow start after the break could amplify pressure on general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to make roster improvements through trades.
Dahlin’s elite performance will be critical as the Sabres aim to maximize their potential in the final 25 games of the regular season and possibly extend their postseason run.
