Buffalo Sabres 2025-2026 Season Preview: Key Questions and Answers
Buffalo Sabres 2025 to 2026 season preview. Key questions and answers. The Buffalo Sabres are at a critical crossroads, facing pivotal decisions that could shape their future for years to come. As they rebuild and retool, three major questions loom large over their upcoming season. And how they answer them might determine whether they finally break their long playoff drought. One, who will step up offensively after the departure of JJ Purka? The loss of JJ Purka is no small matter. In his final season with the Buffalo Sabres, Purka put up an impressive 68 points, 27 goals, and 41 assists across 77 games. An output that made him one of the team’s most reliable offensive contributors. His trade to the Utah Mammoth on June 26 brought back defenseman Michael Kessler and forward Josh Don, but it also left a significant gap in scoring. So, who will fill that void? The Sabres recent additions at forward include Josh Don and Justin Danforth, who together managed 40 points last season. While promising, this duo alone won’t be enough to replace Purka’s production. Instead, the burden will likely fall on existing players like Jack Quinn and Josh Norris. Jack Quinn, who recorded 39 points, 15 goals, 24 assists in 74 games last season, is expected to take on a larger role this year. If he continues to develop, he could become a key contributor. Then there’s Josh Norris, who showed his potential by scoring a career-high 39 points, 35 goals during the 202122 season. However, injuries have limited him to just 38 games per season over the past 3 years. Staying healthy will be crucial for Norris if he’s to make a real impact. And this is the part most people miss. It’s not just about individual performances. It’s about collective effort. The Sabres need multiple players to elevate their games if they want to compensate for Purka’s departure. Two, can Uko Pekka Lucinan prove he’s a true number one goalender? This question has been hanging over the Sabres for a while now. When they signed Uko Pekka Lucinan to a 5-year contract in July 2024, it seemed like a vote of confidence that he was their guy between the pipes. After all, in the 2023 24 season, he posted solid numbers. 27 wins, a 2.57 goals against average, and a 910 save percentage in 54 games. But things took a turn last season. Lucinan struggled. finishing with a 24245 record, a 3.20 GA, and an 887 save percentage. Numbers that raised eyebrows and concerns among fans and analysts alike. Here’s where it gets controversial. Is Lucan really cut out to be a franchise goalender, or is he better suited as a dependable backup? Some argue that his inconsistency shows he lacks the mental toughness needed for the top job. Others believe he simply had a rough patch and can bounce back. If Lucinan falters again, the Sabres have two options. One is Deon Levi, the young phenom who many see as the goalender of the future. However, Levi is likely to start the season in the AHL with Rochester given his limited NHL experience. 39 games, 3.29 GAA, 894 save percentage. The other option is Alex Lion, who signed a 2-year deal in July. But Lion has never played more than 30 games in a season since entering the league in 2017 18. So relying on him long-term isn’t ideal. So what does Lucan need to do to silence the doubters? He needs to show consistency, command his crease, and deliver strong performances when it matters most. Three. Will Ryan Mloud build on his breakout season? Ryan Mloud had a career year in 2024-25, putting up 53 points, 20 goals, 33 assists in 79 games. That performance earned him a 4-year contract extension from the Sabres. A clear signal that they see him as a core piece of their future. But here’s the twist. For GM Kevin Adams and the front office, it’s not just about Mloud’s offensive stats. What makes him valuable is his versatility. He can play center or wing, contribute on the power play, and kill penalties. As Adams put it, an all situations player right in the prime years of his career as a centerman. With Purka gone and Mloud’s speed, there’s a real opportunity for him to surpass last season’s numbers. If he does, it could provide a much needed offensive boost for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 years. But let’s pause for a moment. Do you think Mloud has what it takes to become a consistent 60 plus point player? Or is last season more of an outlier than a new baseline? That’s the kind of debate that could spark some serious discussion in the comments below. So, what’s your take? Are the Sabres heading in the right direction or are they still spinning their wheels? Let us know what you think.
The Buffalo Sabres face several critical questions heading into the 2025-2026 NHL season. In this video, we dive into the key issues the Sabres need to address, including replacing JJ Peterka’s offensive production, the reliability of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the starting goalie, and Ryan McLeod’s potential for improvement. We discuss the team’s offseason moves, such as the trade for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan, and the expectations for players like Jack Quinn and Josh Norris. Additionally, we explore the future of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the potential rise of Devon Levi. Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of the Sabres’ prospects for the upcoming season.
