3 Keys To Sabres Winning Atlantic Division for Second Straight Season

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history. They won the Atlantic Division, recorded 50 wins for just the third time ever, and came within one goal of reaching the Eastern Conference Final.

Heading into the offseason, the Sabres faced several key roster decisions. They traded Alex Tuch’s rights to the Washington Capitals, moved Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, and acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks.

Buffalo didn’t land a marquee name in free agency, but they were active in trade conversations. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Sabres and Winnipeg Jets held serious discussions regarding Connor Hellebuyck, and the star goaltender was reportedly willing to waive his no‑movement clause to come to Buffalo.

Elliotte Friedman: Re Connor Hellebuyck: I still think Winnipeg and Buffalo are talking, I don't think that's over yet – 32 Thoughts (6/29)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 29, 2026

Now, as the 2026–27 season approaches, the Atlantic Division looks even tougher. The Florida Panthers are getting healthy and added Brady Tkachuk. The Maple Leafs drafted Gavin McKenna. The Tampa Bay Lightning still have their core, and the Montreal Canadiens continue to trend upward.

However, the Sabres are also positioned to take another step forward. With that in mind, what are the three keys to winning the Atlantic Division for a second straight season?

Goaltending Has To Continue Sustainable Play

If the Sabres want to compete at the top of the division again, they’re going to need strong play from their goaltenders. Last season, Buffalo received quality performances from Alex Lyon, Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen, and Colton Ellis. The trio combined for a .906 save percentage (SV%), which was a major reason the team found so much success.

The Sabres are entering the season planning to run back the three‑goaltender rotation, with Lyon and Luukkonen serving as the primary duo while Ellis fills in when injuries occur or when Lyon/Luukkonen need a much‑needed rest.

No one is expecting Lyon to replicate his 10‑game winning streak, although that would certainly help, but when the team needs a save, he has to make it. The same goes for Luukkonen and Ellis. Defensive breakdowns will happen, and the Sabres need their goaltenders to bail them out in those moments.

A combined SV% of .905 or higher would be ideal. If Buffalo gets that level of performance again, they should absolutely be viewed as top‑tier contenders within the division.

Young Guns Step Up

The Sabres are entering the season relying heavily on their youth to help push them closer to their ultimate goal: winning the Stanley Cup. Last season, Byram and Tuch were major contributors to Buffalo’s success, but with both now gone, the Sabres will lean on their young core to fill those roles.

That group includes Konsta Helenius, Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, Zach Benson, and Olen Zellweger. Looking at the forwards, each of them will need to step up and produce in different ways.

Helenius is entering his rookie season after appearing in nine regular‑season games and four playoff games last year. He dominated the American Hockey League (AHL), recording 63 points (21 goals, 42 assists) in 63 games. He’s expected to produce at a high level in the top six, and he flashed that potential in the playoffs, scoring two goals in four games.

As for the “veterans” of the group, Quinn, Kulich, and Benson are still extremely young and only getting better. Quinn is expected to fill the offensive void left by Tuch. He has legitimate 30‑goal, 30‑assist potential, and if he’s given the opportunity, he can absolutely hit the 30‑goal mark. Benson burst onto the scene in the playoffs, recording nine points in 13 games. He has improved in each of his first two seasons, and with Tuch gone, he’s viewed as one of the primary internal replacements.

Ostlund and Kulich are both looking to take the next step. Ostlund is coming off a rookie season in which he recorded 27 points in 60 games. He’ll be slotted into the middle six with hopes of building on that foundation.

Kulich’s situation is more complicated. He played briefly last season before the team discovered he had a blood clot in his leg, which ended his year. There were even concerns he might never skate again, but he resumed skating midseason and is on track for training camp. He appeared in only 12 games, recording five points. He’s the one player I’m placing the fewest expectations on, not because he lacks ability, but because returning from a blood clot will require time to get back up to full game speed.

Lastly, Zellweger was acquired to help fill the void left by Byram’s departure. He’s entering his third NHL season at age 22, but he wasn’t given significant minutes in Anaheim. He spent most of the regular season on the third pair and was even scratched during the playoffs, appearing in just three games. He’s a strong puck‑moving defenseman who, with the right partner, can develop his defensive game and grow into a reliable two‑way contributor.

Keep the “Anything to Win” Mentality

The Sabres enter this season looking to build on last season’s momentum, and one of the biggest keys will be embracing an “anything to win” mentality. We saw it all season long: a team willing to play completely selfless hockey. Blocking shots, finishing checks, winning puck battles, making the timely saves, and of course, scoring when it mattered most.

Every player had a role, and every player executed it. With Lindy Ruff back behind the bench, that expectation only rises. Whether it’s a returning core piece or a new acquisition, everyone will be asked to buy in the same way.

At the end of the day, winning is the only thing that matters. The goal is the Stanley Cup, and the only way to reach it is if every player commits fully to their job, their identity, and their responsibility within the roster.

The Sabres have expectations placed on them now, and the first goal is to become back-to-back division champions, and it starts Oct. 1 when the team travels to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets.