Jiri Kulich is ready to get moving. Not just for his return from a minor muscle injury that sidelined him for four days during the Buffalo Sabres’ training camp, but in his return to the ice as he prepares for his fourth professional season.
Kulich scored 15 goals with nine assists in 62 games as a rookie in 2024-25.
He stayed in the United States to play for Rochester in the American Hockey League playoffs in the spring, rather than begin an early summer in Czechia. He scored two goals with six assists in eight AHL playoff games and helped the Amerks push Laval to five games in a best-of-five, second-round series, a playoff experience that he knew was challenging, but beneficial.
Then, Kulich took the offseason to improve his toughness and his playmaking abilities.
“It’s working on more physicality, and be more tougher,” said Kulich, who is from Kadan, Czechia. “See the game a little bit more. On the ice, be a better playmaker, as well. Honestly, I was working on a lot of things, but those three things, the most.”
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The Sabres’ first-round pick in the 2022 NHL draft returned to the lineup for its preseason exhibition game Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Sustaining an injury and recovering from it, even for only a few days, can be an isolating experience.
“Just playing hockey, again, with the boys,” Kulich said. “If you are injured, you’re by yourself, not spending that time with the boys on the ice or off the ice, so it’s great to be back.”
Kulich found his function as a goal scorer in the AHL, scoring 51 goals with 40 assists in 119 games, including 27 goals in 2023-24 with the Amerks. He found his rhythm at the NHL level in the second half of last season, scoring nine of his 15 goals in 22 games in January and February after Sabres coach Lindy Ruff moved him to center from wing.
Kulich hasn’t overanalyzed the move, but he explained that playing at center put him at ease. He grew up playing at center.
“I have no problems playing at wing or center,” Kulich said. “But I feel more comfortable at center.
“I was just trying to play my best. It was very easier to be a center than a wing, for me.”
Ruff also wanted Kulich to be more assertive and decisive when it came to choosing shots and taking shots last season. That is what he worked on in the summer as he trained in Czechia.
“My shot is, I guess, my weapon,” Kulich said. “I have to shoot it more, but I know if the guys, they’re open, it’s just, ‘do good decisions.’ ”
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Kulich centered a line with Josh Doan and Jack Quinn in the Sabres’ preseason opener Sept. 22 at Columbus, led the team with five shots on goal and got his first preseason assist on Quinn’s empty-net goal with about five minutes left in a 4-0 win.
Kulich also emphasized the defensive side of his game, and echoes the Sabres’ team goal of improving its defense: Communicate. Be more physical. Be tougher. Help each other. Be mentally in a game plan.
“Jiri was really good last year, playing as a top-line center against the best lines that were shutting down other teams, better lines,” Ruff said. “At the same time, the counter-punch there was that they were able to score. It would be nice if that group (the line of Kulich, Quinn and Doan) could create the same thing.
“I’m looking for a strong defensive effort. We know how (Kulich) skates. He can carry the mail leaving the zone, and I would like to see that.”
Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave an update on injuries that defensemen Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson sustained, as well as the state of the defense.
Injury update
Left winger Zach Benson did not skate Wednesday morning, and didn’t play Wednesday against the Penguins due to what Ruff called a “little bit of an ailment.” Defenseman Owen Power did not practice for a second day and remains day-to-day with a muscle strain.
Defenseman Bowen Byram skated Wednesday morning. Ruff said he has improved.
Ruff offered some humor when asked if Byram’s injury was upper- or lower-body related.
“That’s a good question. It’s actually a tough one to answer … I’d say ‘upper.’ ”
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Rachel Lenzi
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