Zach Metsa Making the Most of His NHL Shot with the Sabres
TORONTO - Zach Metsa’s NHL journey might be just getting started, but it’s already taken him through some of hockey’s most iconic venues - and he’s soaking it all in like a player who knows how rare this opportunity is.
“I’ve been fired up for it,” Metsa said ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. “I’m lucky.”
The 27-year-old Buffalo Sabres rookie has already skated under the bright lights of Montreal’s Bell Centre and New York’s Madison Square Garden - not bad for a guy who signed his first NHL contract just last summer. Tuesday marked his second game at Scotiabank, another storied stop on what’s quickly becoming a memorable first lap around the league.
“It’s cool because they’re not necessarily places or arenas I went to a lot as a kid,” Metsa said.
But if he keeps playing the way he has over the past five weeks, he might just get a chance to check every NHL barn off the list.
A Steady Climb
Since being recalled from AHL Rochester shortly before Christmas, Metsa has quietly carved out a role for himself on Buffalo’s third defensive pairing. Through 21 games, he’s chipped in a goal, two points, and - most impressively - a plus-13 rating. That kind of stat line doesn’t scream for headlines, but it does speak volumes about his reliability and impact in limited minutes.
Head coach Lindy Ruff has leaned on Metsa for about 10 minutes a night, a number that reflects both trust and the depth of Buffalo’s blue line. With Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson handling the heavy lifting, Metsa’s job is to keep things steady - and so far, he’s done just that.
He’s recently been paired with Jacob Bryson, though that changed with Michael Kesselring’s return to the lineup. Still, Metsa’s been a steady presence, logging around 12 shifts per game and staying ready whenever his number is called.
Confidence Building, One Shift at a Time
Metsa’s path to the NHL hasn’t been the typical one. At 27, he’s older than most rookies, but that’s also part of what makes his story so compelling. He knows what it took to get here, and he’s not taking a second of it for granted.
“I think you have to prove it to yourself,” he said. “You get up here and it’s easy to have … maybe just some questions. I wouldn’t maybe say doubts, but it’s like you wonder how you stack up against everyone.”
That self-awareness is part of what’s helped him settle in. With more practice time, more shifts, and more time around the team, Metsa’s confidence has grown. He’s finding his place - not just on the depth chart, but in the room.
“And the longer I’ve been here and the more practice time I’ve gotten with these guys, some game time, you feel more and more comfortable, and you can kind of find your spot and figure out where you belong,” he said.
Still Tied to Rochester
For now, Metsa is living out of a hotel in Buffalo, but he still holds onto his place in Rochester - both literally and figuratively. He’s still the captain of the Amerks, and in the 14 games he’s played there this season, he’s posted two goals and 13 points. That kind of production speaks to his leadership and offensive instincts, traits that helped earn him this shot with the Sabres in the first place.
The Amerks, meanwhile, are grinding through a stretch without several key contributors. Along with Metsa, they’re currently missing defenseman Zac Jones and forwards Josh Dunne, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Ostlund. Even so, Rochester has kept pace in the North Division, sitting fourth with 46 points.
Metsa credits head coach Mike Leone for instilling a culture that doesn’t flinch when players get called up.
“If your number’s called, you got a job to do, go do it,” Metsa said. “They’ve done pretty well.”
Kesselring Gets on the Board
Meanwhile, fellow defenseman Michael Kesselring had a moment of his own in Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Islanders. His secondary assist on Alex Tuch’s late goal marked his first point in a Sabres uniform - a milestone that didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.
When Tuch scored, he made a beeline to Kesselring with a big grin. Mattias Samuelsson pointed at him right away - a subtle but meaningful gesture.
“It meant a lot,” Kesselring said. “Everybody knew.
(Samuelsson) pointed at me right away. It’s nice just to get it over with.”
Kesselring has battled through injuries this season, including a high ankle sprain that kept him out of the lineup. But after returning last week, he says he’s starting to feel like himself again.
“Just being in and out, the games feel fast when you come in,” he said. “And then a few games back I’m like, ‘This is not slow, but it’s normal again.’”
The Bottom Line
Zach Metsa’s NHL story is still being written, but the early chapters are promising. He’s proving he belongs, even if his path to the league came later than most. With a calm, steady presence on the back end and a quiet confidence that’s growing by the game, Metsa’s doing what every call-up dreams of - making the most of the opportunity.
And if he keeps playing like this, those iconic arenas he once dreamed of skating in won’t just be stops on a tour. They’ll be part of his regular route.