The Buffalo Sabres are about to enter a critical stretch of their season-and the timing couldn’t be more telling. Starting Wednesday night, they’ll open up their longest road trip of the year with a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the first of six straight games away from home, and with a 2-6-2 road record so far, this trip has the potential to either right the ship or deepen the hole.
Healthier Than They've Been-But Still Missing Kesselring
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Sabres are skating into a road trip relatively healthy. Josh Norris returned to action Monday against the Winnipeg Jets, giving the team a much-needed boost at center. But one name still missing from the lineup is defenseman Michael Kesselring, who remains sidelined with an injury.
Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed Monday that Kesselring has resumed skating but won’t be joining the team for this road swing. That puts his earliest possible return on December 18, coincidentally in another game against the Flyers.
It’s been a tough start in Buffalo for Kesselring. He came into the season nursing an injury, worked his way back into the lineup, and managed to play nine games before going down again on November 15 against the Detroit Red Wings.
The good news? The Sabres’ blue line has held firm in his absence.
Once he’s back, Kesselring could add depth and stability to a group that’s quietly finding its groove.
Tuch Keeping His Focus on the Ice, Not the Contract Talks
Alex Tuch’s contract situation has been one of the big storylines hanging over the Sabres this season. Entering the year, many expected a new deal to get done quickly. But as the team stumbled out of the gate, negotiations seemingly took a back seat.
Speaking on Sabres Live Monday, Tuch made it clear that hockey-not his next contract-is his current priority. “Personally, I have just been focused on hockey,” he said.
“We're playing every other day. I haven't talked to my agent in days, or when the last time I talked to him, honestly, but I just know there are ongoing conversations.”
That’s not exactly a surprise. Tuch is poised to be one of the top free agents on the market this summer, and with the salary cap expected to rise, there’s little incentive for him to rush into a deal.
Still, the clock is ticking. If a contract extension isn’t reached by the time the NHL Trade Deadline rolls around, the Sabres will have a tough decision to make-lock him up or move him before potentially losing him for nothing.
Three’s a Crowd in Net-But That Could Change Soon
The Sabres’ goaltending situation has been one of the trickier puzzles to solve this season. Since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned from injury on October 25, Buffalo has been juggling a three-goalie rotation. It’s not ideal, and it’s not sustainable.
Head coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged as much during a radio appearance on WGR550 before Monday’s practice. While he didn’t tip his hand completely, Ruff hinted that a more traditional two-goalie setup might be on the horizon.
The question now is: who’s going to take the reins?
All signs point to Colten Ellis getting the first crack. According to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News, Ellis was in the starter’s crease during Monday’s practice-a strong indication he’ll get the nod in Philadelphia. If he performs well, the coaching staff may finally have the clarity they’ve been looking for.
The Sabres are entering a stretch where every game matters, especially with the standings tightening and the playoff race slowly taking shape. This road trip won’t just test their endurance-it could define their season. Whether it’s a goalie stepping up, a key player returning from injury, or a contract situation coming into focus, there’s no shortage of storylines to watch as Buffalo hits the road.