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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 8h

What we saw in the Sabres' season-opening loss to the Blue Jackets in Columbus. - Power play struggles - Goaltending questions? - Is it time to move Kulich up? And more from a 6-3 loss. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 8h

"I don't even know what Olivier was thinking." Story on Zach Metsa stepping in to fight Mathieu Olivier, what it meant to his Sabres teammates. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 18h

The Blue Jackets get another deflection goal as their power play was expiring. Sabres down 5-3 with 5:39 to play.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 19h

Konsta Helenius with a goal as the power play was expiring. Ripped a great shot from a tight angle. Nice pass from Ryan McLeod to get him the puck. Sabres down 4-3.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 19h

Matthew Knies gets his second goal of the game. This one is a deflection in front. Blue Jackets up 4-2.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 20h

Now Adam Fantilli scores. Deflected a Zach Werenski point shot. Sabres down 3-1. Not a strong start for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 20h

Matthew Knies scores on the power play, and the Blue Jackets are up 2-1.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 20h

Cole Sillinger scores for the Blue Jackets. Both Crevier and Power crashed on the puck carrier, and nobody had Sillinger, who collected a drop pass and beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. 1-1.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 20h

Mattias Samuelsson with the Sabres' first goal of the season. Noah Ostlund found him with a perfect pass after Owen Power got the play started. Sabres up 1-0.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 21h

No surprises for the Sabres in warmups here in Columbus. Norris-Thompson-Doan Benson-Ostlund-Quinn Krebs-McLeod-Helenius Kulich-Carrick-Malenstyn Samuelsson-Dahlin Power-Crevier Grzelcyk-Metsa Luukkonen in net.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 21h

I'll be hanging out in our live game discussion over @TheAthleticNHL for Sabres-Blue Jackets. Jump on in: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Sabres activated Mattias Samuelsson from IR and placed Alex Lyon on IR to make room. Olen Zellweger also on IR, but both Zellweger and Lyon can be activated at any time because the IR placement can be retroactive to their injuries.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Story on the Sabres signing defenseman Louis Crevier to a four-year contract extension with insight from Crevier. What it means for the cap and why Crevier was ready to sign. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

With the Sabres opening the season in Columbus, I wrote about Sabres AGM Josh Flynn and his unique path to pro hockey that started with the Blue Jackets. On how Flynn gained Jarmo Kekalainen's trust and became his right-hand man in Buffalo. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Lindy Ruff said it looks like Mattias Samuelsson will be good to go tonight against the Blue Jackets.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

How the Sabres look at the morning skate Norris-Thompson-Doan Benson-Ostlund-Quinn Krebs-McLeod-Helenius Kulich-Carrick-Malenstyn Samuelsson-Dahlin Power-Crevier Metsa, Gilbert and Grzelcyk doing some rotating on the bottom pair. Luukkonen in net.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Sabres on the ice in Columbus for their first morning skate of the season. Mattias Samuelsson is out there. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the starter’s crease.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Sabres signed defenseman Louis Crevier to a four-year extension worth $4 million per year.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Sabres recalled Dennis Gilbert from Rochester.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Olen Zellweger won’t play in the season opener for the Sabres. Hasn’t cleared concussion protocol yet. But he has a chance to play in the home opener on Saturday. Lindy Ruff said he’s hoping Mattias Samuelsson will be an option for tomorrow.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

How the Sabres look at practice Norris-Thompson-Doan Benson-Ostlund-Quinn Krebs-McLeod-Helenius Kulich-Carrick-Malenstyn Defense pairs have been shuffled around a bit. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the starter's net. Would expect he gets the net in Columbus.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Mattias Samuelsson is back at Sabres practice as expected. Olen Zellweger, Alex Lyon and Conor Timmins still not practicing.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Sabres start their season tomorrow night. So it’s prediction time. I made them extra bold for you. www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said Mattias Sameulsson skated before practice and had a good day. The plan is for him to practice with the Sabres tomorrow. Conor Timmins' timetable is yet to be determined. Olen Zellweger is day-to-day but is skating.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Some different lines and pairs for the Sabres with some mixing and matching. But saw a lot of these two top lines. Norris-Thompson-Doan Benson-Ostlund-Quinn Lots of shuffling of bottom six. But saw these combos. Krebs-McLeod-Helenius Kulich/Danforth-Carrick-Malenstyn.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

No Alex Lyon on the ice at Sabres practice. Mattias Samuelsson, Olen Zellweger and Conor Timmins also absent. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is out there.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Sabres roster analysis: Breaking down the line combinations, biggest questions and injury concerns heading into the regular season www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Jiri Kulich did skate today as planned, Lindy Ruff said.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tweaked something and they didn’t want to take any chances. Ruff said he can’t answer if Luukkonen will be ready for opening night. He doesn’t have a timetable on Alex Lyon yet. Sabres have some uncertainty in net.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Colten Ellis just entered the game a few minutes into the third period for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back to the locker room.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Konsta Helenius is now bouncing back and forth between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s house and Zach Benson’s house. Benson is trying to teach him manners and the finer points of video games. Inside the world of the Sabres’ ultra-confident rookie. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

House keeping note: Lindy Ruff said he doesn't have plans right now to give Alex Tuch's 'A' to anyone else. They'll go with Rasmus Dahlin as captain and Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson as the alternates.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said he feels like Mattias Samuelsson's injury won't be too long. Ruff also thinks Olen Zellweger will be ready for opening night.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said today was a maintenance day for Noah Ostlund after big minutes last night. It sounds like Jiri Kulich will be back on the ice tomorrow. Alex Lyon is being evaluated today. They'll know more tomorrow.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Sabres have signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year contract worth $850,000.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Sabres practice is underway. No Mattias Samuelsson, Olen Zellweger, Jiri Kulich or Alex Lyon out there.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

As cutdown day approaches, here’s a look at the Sabres injury situations to monitor, roster battles and who has helped their stock in the exhibition season www.nytimes.com/athl...

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Red Wings beat the Sabres in overtime. And the Sabres will return home with two new injuries (Alex Lyon, Kiri Kulich) to monitor.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Jiri Kulich hasn't played since about midway through the second period. Sabres down a forward to finish this game.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Alex Lyon just left the Sabres’ preseason game against the Red Wings. Looked like he was favoring his shoulder. Colten Ellis is going into the game.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Nice play by Jake Richard to stick with it on the forecheck and get the puck out front to Trevor Kuntar who finished with a goal. Sabres up 1-0 on the Red Wings.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said the Sabres haven't talked about adding a defenseman from the outside just yet. Want to see how the next few days go with Zellweger. Ruff said he talked to Zellweger today and he's already feeling better but doesn't want to get ahead of himself with a concussion.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Olen Zellweger is still in concussion protocol. Mattias Samuelsson will be week-to-week with a lower body injury.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Olen Zellweger and Mattias Samuelsson aren't practicing with the Sabres this afternoon after leaving the game last night. Ryan Johnson and Radim Mrtka have joined the NHL group in their place.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There was a lot to like about the Sabres' preseason win over the Blue Jackets. But injuries to Olen Zellweger and Mattias Samuelsson overshadowed that. Thoughts on that and who stood out from the exhibition. Free to read:

nytimes.com

Sabres’ preseason win overshadowed by Olen Zellweger, Mattias Samuelsson injuries

The Sabres dressed their entire NHL lineup against an AHL Blue Jackets group and won 5-1 despite the injuries.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Lindy Ruff said Olen Zellweger has a concussion. Mattias Samuelsson will be evaluated further tomorrow.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Beck Malenstyn just laid a hard hit on Carson Soucy, and now Soucy appears to be in pain favoring his arm.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Beck Malenstyn drops the gloves with Carson Soucy after Soucy's hit on Zellweger earlier in the game.

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