Buffalo Sabres Unveil 2026-27 Preseason Schedule Amid Trade Rumors

The Buffalo Sabres have officially revealed their exhibition schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season, which has been trimmed to just four games. This change comes as a result of the new NHL-NHLPA collective bargaining agreement and the league’s shift to an 84-game regular season for the first time.

The Sabres will host two games at KeyBank Center while also playing two away matches in late September, leading up to the regular season’s commencement. They will kick off their preseason on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, September 21, before returning home to face the Columbus Blue Jackets the following day. The final stretch of their preseason includes two games in Detroit, with a matchup against the Red Wings on Thursday, September 24, followed by another contest against the Penguins in a Saturday matinee on September 26.

Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram has intensified as the NHL Draft approaches this weekend at KeyBank Center. The 26-year-old blueliner, currently in the second year of a two-year, $12.5 million bridge deal, has caught the attention of Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who expressed interest in extending Byram after his career-high 42-point season. However, recent indications suggest that Byram may be seeking a new deal that exceeds the Sabres’ budget, or he may choose to play out the final year of his contract before entering free agency next summer.

Byram ranks just behind Detroit’s team captain Dylan Larkin on The Athletic’s Trade Board, indicating his value in the market. Following the departure of RFA blueliner Michael Kesselring in a trade with the San Jose Sharks, Byram’s potential exit could significantly weaken the Sabres’ defensive lineup, which includes Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power. The team currently lacks a clear replacement for Byram, with 2025 first-round pick Radim Mrtka expected to begin his professional career in Rochester, while veterans Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley are heading for free agency. Additionally, Conor Timmins and Zach Metsa are viewed as better fits for bottom-pairing roles.

Kekalainen faces a challenging situation, as Byram’s contract status may limit the return on any potential trade, especially knowing that the acquiring team might only benefit from him as a one-year rental.

Another name surfacing in trade discussions is Rochester goalie Devon Levi. The 24-year-old has spent the majority of the past three seasons with the Amerks and will become waiver-eligible next season. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis occupying spots on the NHL roster, the Sabres risk losing Levi to waivers after training camp or must consider trading him for a draft pick. With many teams searching for affordable starting options and backup goaltenders, Kekalainen is likely to find a viable destination for Levi.

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