The Buffalo Sabres announced this week that they have extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Peyton Krebs and Olen Zellweger, a move that keeps both players under contract for the upcoming season while arbitration looms for the versatile forward.
Krebs, 25, has established himself as one of the most adaptable forwards on the roster, capable of contributing on both the power play and at even strength, and his eligibility for salary arbitration adds a layer of negotiation that could shape his long‑term fit in Buffalo.
Zellweger, 22, arrived in Buffalo via a trade with the Anaheim Ducks and is being viewed as a potential successor to Bowen Byram on the blue line, bringing a blend of size and offensive upside that the coaching staff hopes will translate into more minutes next year.
Free Agency Ripple Effects
Four other Sabres prospects — Zac Jones, Nikita Novikov, Olivier Nadeau and Isaac Belliveau — saw their qualifying offers decline, making them unrestricted free agents. Each of them finished the season in the American Hockey League with notable performances that could attract interest from other clubs.
Jones, 25, capped his rookie professional campaign with the Rochester Americans by posting 10 goals and 62 points in 60 games, earning the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s most outstanding defenseman for the 2025‑26 season, a testament to his rapid development.
Novikov, loaned to the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate, was drafted in the sixth round in 2021 and continues to refine his defensive game, while Nadeau, a fourth‑round pick in 2021, contributed 13 goals and 26 points in 56 games for Rochester before testing the open market. Belliveau, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal that also brought defenseman Conor Timmins to Buffalo, adds another layer of depth to the Sabres’ prospect pool.