Realistic Expectations for Sabres’ 3 Outstanding Youngsters in 2026-27

The Buffalo Sabres have one of the youngest and most exciting core groups in the NHL, rife with potential breakout subjects. They made some calculated moves this summer like letting winger Alex Tuch go in a sign-and-trade and moving defenseman Bowen Byram in the summer’s biggest blockbuster.

With the draft and free agency in the rearview mirror, most of the focus is one the trio of young forwards set to make an impact this season: Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Ostlund. Going into the season, what are realistic expectations for the trio in their first season together in Buffalo?

Jiri Kulich

By the end of last season, Kulich almost became a forgotten note. Between the emergence of Helenius and Ostlund, the Sabres winning the Atlantic Division, and the team coming within one goal of making the Eastern Conference Final, it would be understandable to not have Kulich at the forefront of mind.

Kulich was out dealing with a serious blood clot, but is ready to return. He already has a full season under his belt, 62 games in 2024-25 with 15 goals, 24 points, and began last season as the team’s No.1 center.

Kulich has the speed, shot, and one-on-one skills to stand out immediately. Even if he doesn’t begin the season as the top center, he should reprise that role sooner rather than later. If he can do that, a season where he scores 25 goals and crosses the 50-point barrier is not out of the realm of possibility.

Noah Ostlund

Ostlund presents a very interesting case for the Sabres. He did not look out of place at all in 60 games as rookie last season, scoring 11 goals and 27 points in the process. In the playoffs, after returning from injury, he was an impact player against the Boston Bruins before going out once again with injury.

Ostlund, like Helenius, is a player in every sense of the word. He plays with tenacity, wins one-on-one battles, and just makes his linemates better. He has all the potential to be a top-two center for the Sabres as soon as this season.

The biggest issue is his durability. He has been hurt at every level and dealt with a significant injury last season. If he can stay healthy for most of the season, it feels like he can become one of the best playmakers on the team. With 70 games or more under his belt, Ostlund could tally 40 assist or more, top the 50-point mark and carve out a place for himself as one of the team’s essential forwards in short order.

Konsta Helenius

Helenius is one of those guys that just has “it.” He has already proven himself in big spots, scoring big goals against the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs and then netting the golden goal for Finland in this summer’s World Championships. The guy is a player, simple as that.

Though Helenius quickly acquitted himself as one of the best players in the American Hockey League (AHL), this is a step up. He only has nine regular season games under his belt, and we will likely see a few rough stretches, the kind that a 20-year-old in his first full season typically faces.

Being the least experienced of the trio, Helenius also seems the most likely to struggle. Helenius should be one of the best first-year players in the league. Hitting 20 goals and 45 points feels like a realistic place to start. If he can find footing in the top six, however, those numbers may just be a good baseline.

The Trio Represents a Big Piece of the Future

While the Sabres are clearly counting on progression from guys like Owen Power, they are leaning heavily on Kulich, Helenius, and Ostlund to become key fixtures now and into the future. All three have the skill set needed to be impactful, but the Sabres’ depth makes it a challenge.

The hopes are high for the Sabres and their ability to build on last season’s success will depend on the growth of their young trio. If they can even get bigger performances out of two of them, it should mark a noticeable step forward both individually and for the team. All of which means exciting things for the Sabres going forward.