Sabres Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Power Play Struggles Continue & More - The Hockey Writers - Buffalo Sabres

Can Put Hellebuyck Rumors to Rest
Power Play Struggles Continue
Injury Updates
Upcoming Schedule

Here are the Buffalo Sabres news, rumors and latest updates for the week of Oct. 25 – Nov. 1, 2026.

Can Put Hellebuyck Rumors to Rest

Since the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Sabres have been at the center of Connor Hellebuyck rumors. It made sense; they came close to acquiring him right before the draft, but the deal fell through.

Jarmo Kekalainen Columbus Blue Jackets — Jarmo Kekäläinen, Columbus Blue Jackets, 2015 NHL Draft (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hellebuyck was traded to the New Jersey Devils on Friday, officially putting the Sabres‑related rumors to rest. Yes, goaltending hasn’t been great to start the season, but the reality is that most of the roster outside of a handful of players has gotten off to a slow start.

I always felt the Sabres should have traded for Hellebuyck at the right price. If Winnipeg’s ask included Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, or Konsta Helenius, I wouldn’t have pulled the trigger. Anything outside of those three, I was fine with. But now that he’s off the market, it’s time to focus on the season in front of them. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has expressed confidence in Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen, and for now, that’s the direction the Sabres are committed to.

Power Play Struggles Continue

The Sabres’ power play continues to struggle after going scoreless on two more attempts in their 4–3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Oct. 24. Only three power‑play goals through their first 11 games is far from ideal. With the amount of talent they have on the man advantage, there’s no excuse for sitting near the bottom of the league in power‑play success rate (31st).

If they want to keep up in a competitive Eastern Conference, they’re going to have to figure their power play out. They’ve lost a few games because of their special teams, and it cannot continue.

Injury Updates

Jiri Kulich took a puck to the face in practice on Friday and did not travel with the team to Washington. It is uncertain if he will travel with the team during their California road trip this week.

Goaltender Alex Lyon will not travel with the team during the road trip either. He is progressing well with his shoulder injury after suffering a setback a couple of weeks ago. Per Lindy Ruff, rehab is going in the right direction.

Sam Carrick has been out since Oct. 15. He was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 21, and the injury he suffered is believed to be the same one he suffered at the end of last season.

Matt Grzelcyk, signed just before the season, has been out since Oct. 13 with what Ruff called a “lower‑body flare‑up.” He’s considered day‑to‑day.

Conor Timmins has been out since Sept. 26 and has been on injured reserve since then. He is progressing well in his recovery but has not resumed skating yet.