The Buffalo Sabres announced their initial 23-man roster Monday afternoon ahead of Thursday’s regular-season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with six players beginning the season on injured reserve.
The roster includes 14 forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders. Buffalo also avoided placing any of its three goaltenders or Olen Zellweger on injured reserve despite several preseason injuries.
Jiri Kulich and Justin Danforth both made the opening roster after entering training camp with some uncertainty about whether they would begin the season in Buffalo or Rochester.
Forwards
- Zach Benson
- Sam Carrick
- Justin Danforth
- Josh Doan
- Konsta Helenius
- Tyson Kozak
- Peyton Krebs
- Jiri Kulich
- Beck Malenstyn
- Ryan McLeod
- Josh Norris
- Noah Ostlund
- Jack Quinn
- Tage Thompson
Defensemen
- Louis Crevier
- Rasmus Dahlin
- Matt Grzelcyk
- Zach Metsa
- Owen Power
- Olen Zellweger
Goaltenders
- Colten Ellis
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
- Alex Lyon
Injured reserve
- Jack Rathbone, defenseman
- Conor Timmins, defenseman
- Mattias Samuelsson, defenseman
- Conor Sheary, forward
- Jason Zucker, forward
- Topias Leinonen, goaltender
Samuelsson and Timmins are the most notable absences on defense. Samuelsson is dealing with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot during the preseason, while Timmins was placed on injured reserve despite playing in Buffalo’s final preseason game.
With Samuelsson unavailable, Louis Crevier could start alongside Rasmus Dahlin. Zellweger’s availability also gives Buffalo the option of pairing him with Owen Power.
Goaltending remains unsettled entering the final days before the opener. Lyon is dealing with an upper-body injury, while Luukkonen exited the preseason finale with a lower-body issue. Neither was placed on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility that either could be available Thursday.
If neither is ready, Ellis could receive the opening-night start. He appeared in all four preseason games in relief but did not start any of them.
The Sabres have additional practices before Thursday’s opener, giving the coaching staff more time to determine the opening-night lineup and starting goaltender.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.