Let’s hand out some 2026 Buffalo Sabers regular season awards
BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — With the NHL regular season a factor of the previous, let’s hand out some awards. In years previous, this is able to imply the Buffalo Sabers season had come to an finish. But not this 12 months.
Biggest shock
Mattias Samuelsson
From talks of a contract buyout to changing into a stalwart on the Sabers blue line, Mattias Samuelsson has been a vital piece to the Sabres’ success this season.
In 78 video games, Samuelsson has been obtainable, has been a constant offensive contributor, and has logged top-four minutes whereas taking part in in each potential function.
Plus/Minus is an outdated stat, however once I was trying over his numbers, I used to be floored. Samuelsson completed the regular season with a team-best +41. Coincidentally, that is additionally what number of factors he had this season, with 13 targets and 28 assists.
Prior to this season, Samuelsson had by no means performed greater than 62 video games. This season was an enormous leap for the 26-year-old defenseman who now has among the best contracts within the NHL.
Biggest disappointment
Kulich’s harm
If I needed to decide a single participant, it will most likely be Michael Kesselring due to the offseason buzz surrounding his addition. That mentioned, Kesselring was banged up, and I do not suppose he was ever fairly wholesome. He ended up taking part in simply 34 video games this season and was a wholesome scratch numerous occasions.
As for Kulich, I had nice expectations for the Sabers younger ahead this season. But after simply 12 video games, he was sidelined with blood clots. That’s some scary and critical stuff. For Kulich, simply getting wholesome away from the rink was far and away the highest precedence. After the Olympic break, it seemed like Kulich may probably return however he had a setback and was dominated out for the remainder of the season. Kulich is simply 22 years outdated and shall be an essential piece for this workforce transferring ahead. But circumstances out of his management led his absence to be my largest disappointment of the season.
Unsung Hero
Alex Lyon
When the Sabers wanted somebody to carry down the fort, Alex Lyon was that man. Let’s not overlook, Lyon began extra video games than Luukkonen this season. A late-season harm and some inconsistent play have made Lyon’s playoff standing unsure, however his presence on and off the ice was invaluable. Heading into subsequent season, the Sabers must determine one thing out with Lyon, Luukkonen, and Colten Ellis, however it’s an excellent downside to have.
Peyton Krebs Appreciation Award
Peyton Krebs
2025-2026 was far and away Peyton Krebs’ finest season as a professional. The 25-year-old performed all 82 video games, had 11 extra factors than he did final season, and was a chess piece the Sabers may use throughout their lineup. I do know Krebs hasn’t essentially blossomed as an elite offensive weapon like many anticipated after the Jack Eichel commerce, however there’s critical worth in a ahead who can transfer up and down the lineup and put up 39 factors.
The DAWG award
Josh Doan and Zach Benson
The committee (me) has introduced a tie.
Josh Doan has been an important roster addition this season. His teammates love him, he is relentless at each ends of the ice, and he is a glue man. Every good workforce wants a glue man, and Doan is the Sabres. It’s why the workforce was comfy giving him an enormous extension after simply three months with the workforce.
But you possibly can say all those self same issues about Zach Benson. He’s versatile and might play up and down the lineup, he makes each one among his teammates higher, and he is the workforce’s DJ.
Benson is a participant the Sabers must preserve for a very long time. He’s nonetheless simply 20-years-old and seemingly simply scratching the floor of his potential.
Bove’s An Idiot Award
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Over the years, I’ve been essential of the Sabres’ beginning goaltender. In equity, his play is usually unstable.
This season, that has not been the case. For a number of months, Luukkonen has been actually good. It’s gotten to the purpose the place I’ve modified my ideas concerning the playoffs. In March, I’d’ve mentioned Luukkonen and Lyon ought to rotate playoff begins. But Luukkonen has been too good to maintain him on the bench.
This season, Luukkonen has a 22-9-3 file with a formidable .910 save share and a couple of.91 targets in opposition to common.
The playoffs shall be one other large check for the Sabres’ beginning goaltender, but when he continues to play the best way he has, they need to be in fine condition.
Sabers MVP
Rasmus Dahlin
It’s no coincidence that the Sabers began to appear to be a juggernaut when Dahlin’s play elevated. There’s a motive he is within the dialog for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s prime defenseman.
Offensively, Dahlin’s sport has reached a brand new stage. In 77 video games, he has 19 targets, 55 assists, and 74 factors. But what is not talked about sufficient is his stage of competence, his physicality, and the way he is a workhorse each night time. This season, I averaged greater than 24 minutes per night time.
The Sabers go as Dahlin goes, and this season, that is been farther than they’ve in 14 years.
