The Buffalo Sabres entered the offseason with a stark reality: the loss of Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram erased 44 goals from last season’s production, leaving a gaping hole in the team’s offensive arsenal.
Coaches and analysts have turned to a cluster of young forwards — Jiri Kulich, Noah Stlund and Konsta Helenius — to fill the void, but their limited NHL experience and injury histories raise questions about how quickly they can deliver.
Tage Thompson, who is expected to cap his scoring at roughly 40 goals, will need additional firepower, and the organization is pinning hopes on Zach Benson’s projected 20‑to‑25 goals while also monitoring the health of Josh Norris, whose December comeback briefly turned the Sabres into the league’s best team.
General manager Kyle Davidson and his staff attempted to reinforce the roster with trades for Dax Ziegler and others, yet the moves failed to replicate the momentum built in the previous season, allowing clubs like Florida and Toronto to surge ahead.
Contract talks reshape the picture
Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets has been vocal about his desire to remain beyond his current contract, insisting that a playoff‑contending environment is a prerequisite for his long‑term commitment and highlighting his blend of leadership and scoring as essential for the Jackets to stay competitive in the Metropolitan Division.
On the contract front, Quinn Hughes is slated to meet with Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin to discuss a potential extension, but analysts widely predict a low probability of success given his expressed wish to reunite with his brothers in New Jersey.
Elliot Friedman has speculated that any deal could span three years at $18 million per year, a figure that could make Hughes the first $20 million player in the NHL if a short‑term, flexible agreement is reached.