The Buffalo Sabres could have upward of 60 players in training camp when practices begin Thursday at LECOM Harborcenter, only a few days before the first preseason game at 7 p.m. Monday at Columbus.
Here’s a player-by-player look at the bulk of the Sabres’ projected camp roster, minus some Amerks and prospects.
All stats are from 2024-25 unless noted:
Forwards
Zach Benson: Former first-round pick enters third NHL season with aim of personal consistency.
Josh Norris: Played only three games after a trade from Ottawa, needs to rediscover form that made him a 35-goal scorer in 2021-22.
Jordan Greenway: Brings a physical edge to the third and fourth lines, but missed chunks of last season due to injuries and surgery.
Justin Danforth: Joining as a free agent after four seasons in Columbus’ system, likely a fourth-line fit but a noted “glue guy.”
Jason Zucker: Provides a veteran presence and made a commitment to the organization and roster by signing a two-year extension in March.
Peyton Krebs: Former first-round pick by Vegas had career-best 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists), has established himself as a defensive forward.
Jiri Kulich: Scored 15 goals, then joined Rochester in AHL playoffs rather than play for Czechia in IIHF World Championships.
Jack Quinn: Scored a career-best 15 goals and shuttled between second and third lines, but must make more of his opportunities.
Beck Malenstyn: 191 hits, but four goals, six assists and 29 penalty minutes in 76 games, and enters final year of contract.
Josh Dunne: Voted the Amerks’ Unsung Hero, and four-point game helped push Laval to a decisive fifth game in AHL playoffs.
Tyson Kozak: On the Sabres’ roster five different times and played in 21 games as a rookie, with three goals and two assists.
Olivier Nadeau: Spent much of the last two seasons with ECHL’s Jacksonville, scoring 22 goals in 48 games.
Isak Rosen: Was primarily a fourth-liner in his short stints in 2024-25 with the Sabres but flourished in Rochester in a bigger role.
Ryan McLeod: His new four-year deal brings some pressure – he’ll be counted on to create more offense after trade of JJ Peterka.
Tage Thompson: Led the Sabres in goals (44), is a strong contender to make the U.S. Olympic team.
Viktor Neuchev: Has KHL and AHL experience but needs to show he’s recovered from March shoulder surgery.
Red Savage: Former Michigan State captain was solid in prospects camp after not playing since January due to left shoulder separation.
Noah Ostlund: Scoreless in eight games last season with the Sabres but scored 19 goals in 45 games with Amerks.
Alex Tuch: Of his 36 goals, six were short-handed and four were game-winners. Now, he faces a big contract decision.
Josh Doan: Split the last two seasons between the AHL and NHL in Utah’s system, can prove NHL value with Sabres.
Anton Wahlberg: 30 points in first full AHL season, targets consistency and a stronger presence in front of the goal.
Konsta Helenius: Scored goals, made plays and showed some chippiness with Rochester, but will he need another AHL season?
Riley Fiddler-Schultz: 13 goals, 13 assists in 51 games with Rochester, played solid on second line in Prospects Challenge.
Mason Geertsen: 25 NHL games on resume with New Jersey in 2021-22 under Lindy Ruff, but an established aggressor at the AHL level. Returned to pro hockey after B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in November 2023.
Tyler Kopff: Signed with Rochester in April after two seasons at Brown, brings size and scoring touch (46 points in two college seasons).
Jake Leschyshyn: 50 goals with 54 assists in six full AHL seasons with Vegas and New York Rangers’ farm systems, son of former NHL player Curtis Leschyshyn.
Carson Meyer: Two goals, four assists in 41 games from 2021-24 with the Blue Jackets; nine goals, 12 assists in 29 games in San Diego of AHL.
Defensemen
Jack Rathbone: Former Harvard standout played primarily with Ryan Johnson in Rochester with 23 points in 63 games.
Bowen Byram: Appeared to be a trade candidate over the summer but will return to the top defensive pairing with a two-year deal.
Michael Kesselring: 6-foot-5 right-shot defenseman can play any spot in the top six and provides a needed toughness quotient.
Conor Timmins: Ideally, the acquisition from the Penguins will step in on the Sabres’ third defensive pairing with Mattias Samuelsson.
Mattias Samuelsson: The Sabres stuck with the sixth-year pro, who needs a bounce-back season after underachieving in 2024-25.
Owen Power: Scored seven goals, 33 assists in third NHL season and set offseason goal of getting stronger after season-ending knee injury.
Rasmus Dahlin: Already selected to Sweden’s Olympics roster, could this be a Norris Trophy candidacy year for the captain?
Zac Jones: A multiple-role defenseman who will have to work to crack the top six or as a solid seventh defenseman.
Ryan Johnson: Had seven assists in 44 games over two seasons with the Sabres, but organizational depth could send him to Rochester.
Vsevolod Komarov: Brings an edge to the ice, and led Rochester with 85 penalty minutes in 69 games as a first-year pro.
Jacob Bryson: Depth defenseman enters seventh pro season and signed a one-year deal in March.
Nikita Novikov: Has played the last two seasons in Rochester, but could play a third given organizational depth.
David Bedkowski: The 2025 third-round pick plays with a physical edge, but focus will be on long-term development.
Isaac Belliveau: Acquired as part of trade for Connor Clifton, split last season between Pittsburgh’s AHL and ECHL teams.
Zach Metsa: Seven goals, 39 assists and plus-15 with Amerks, helped Quinnipiac win the 2023 NCAA championship.
Radim Mrtka: This year’s first-round pick brings size and playmaking abilities but is not likely to crack NHL roster.
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Consistency will be key for the incumbent No. 1 goalie who allowed five or more goals 12 times in 2024-25.
Devon Levi: Will compete with Alex Lyon for the No. 2 spot behind Luukkonen, but could benefit from one more AHL season.
Alex Lyon: Could be the top candidate for the No. 2 job as a 10th-year pro … or could become a possible No. 1 option if Luukkonen can’t establish consistency.
Scott Ratzlaff: 23-19-4 with .910 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.16 with Seattle of the WHL but likely will go to Rochester or ECHL.
Alexandar Georgiev: Led the NHL in wins in 2022-23 and 2023-24 with Colorado, brought in for insurance if Luukkonen is hurt long-term.
Topias Leinonen: 13-10 with four shutouts in 25 games with Mora IK in Sweden, will play his first season in North America.
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Rachel Lenzi
News sports reporter
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today