Buffalo Sabres Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Training Camp and Preseason Underway and More - The Hockey Writers - Buffalo Sabres

Training Camp Is Underway
Injury Updates
Upcoming Schedule

Here is the latest news and updates around the Buffalo Sabres and their schedule for the week of Sept. 21-27, 2026.

Training Camp Is Underway

The Sabres started training camp on Thursday as they get ready for the 2026-27 season. They looked crisp over the weekend as the team worked hard. Both general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and head coach Lindy Ruff have preached that they will not allow this team to be outworked by their opponent.

The Sabres held their blue and gold scrimmage open to the public on Saturday, and they did not disappoint. The line of Zach Benson, Noah Ostlund and Jack Quinn was the best one on the ice. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked good, which was a great sign considering the rumors of the Sabres offering him in a potential Connor Hellebuyck trade in the offseason.

Training camp is wrapping up as the team’s first preseason game is Monday, Sept. 21, vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Injury Updates

Jason Zucker will miss the start of the season as he underwent sports hernia surgery in the offseason. Kekalainen did reassure everyone that “he is very close to the start of the year.” Expect him to miss no more than the first two weeks of the regular season.

Jason Zucker Buffalo Sabres — Jason Zucker, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Newly acquired defenseman Louis Crevier underwent a shoulder procedure in the offseason but should be ready for the season opener Oct. 1 when they travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks. “He looks like he’s ready,” Kekalainen said. “I think he still needs to talk to the doctor that operated on him, but we think he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. We still don’t have a final answer on it.”

Justin Danforth, who broke his kneecap in the fourth game of the season last season, has missed the start of training camp. He underwent a knee cartilage procedure that has hindered his movement. “He had his ups and downs with trying to get back,” Ruff said. “… He’s a really competitive guy who will do almost anything to win hockey games, from blocking shots, and that’s how he got hurt.

“We felt we had a right-handed centermen who could take key faceoffs for us. There was a little bit of a decision of whether he would be at camp maybe a month ago. But he’s starting to feel good.”- All quotes from above are found from his training camp arrival press conference.