Sabres to Face Bowen Byram’s Blackhawks in Home Opener on October 3rd

The Buffalo Sabres are set to kick off their 2026-27 regular season with an exciting matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, featuring former Sabre Bowen Byram. The NHL announced the home openers for all 32 clubs on Wednesday, revealing that Buffalo will host Byram and the Blackhawks on Saturday, October 3rd.

Byram, now 25, is entering the final year of his two-year bridge deal. He previously informed the Sabres of his intention not to re-sign, seeking an opportunity to step into a top defenseman role. Just before the recent NHL Draft, Sabres’ GM Jarmo Kekalainen traded Byram to Chicago in exchange for the fourth overall selection, defenseman Louis Crevier, and a second-round pick in 2026, which was subsequently dealt to Anaheim for defenseman Olen Zellweger.

As the Sabres prepare for their home opener, anticipation is building among fans. The club took to social media to share their excitement: “Our 2026-27 home opener is set for October 3rd! The countdown to October is ON.” Meanwhile, the Blackhawks will start the season without their standout rookie Connor Bedard, who is sidelined due to a shoulder injury sustained during a summer pickup game. Bedard underwent surgery last week and is expected to be out for at least four months.

Before facing the Blackhawks, the Sabres will begin their season on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, October 1st. Fans are eager to see how the team will perform as they embark on a new campaign filled with promise and potential.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.