Sabres’ Konsta Helenius out week-to-week with upper-body injury

Some concerning news on the injury front in Western New York.

On Monday, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff revealed that forward Konsta Helenius is out week-to-week. He also commented on forward Zach Benson’s absence from practice, stating that the team is hoping it’s just a maintenance day.

Helenius suffered an upper-body injury during the Sabres’ matchup with the San Jose Sharks last Tuesday night. It isn’t quite clear when the Finnish center suffered the injury, though his last shift came with a little less than four minutes to go in a 2-0 victory. He logged 11:44 of ice time in the game, picking up an assist on Olen Zellweger’s goal in the opening minute of the second period. It was Helenius’ second helper of the 2026-27 campaign.

With Helenius out of the lineup, Buffalo has built up a three-game win streak, surviving a 7-6 contest against the Anaheim Ducks, before capping off their California road trip with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings this past Saturday.

The 20-year-old has appeared in 11 games thus far, scoring a goal and three points. The rookie also has a plus/minus of -2 while averaging 13 minutes of ice time.

Benson has appeared in every game for the Sabres this season, and has been a key component of the team’s offense, building off an exceptional performance from the 2025-26 campaign. In 14 games this year, the 21-year-old has posted two goals and 11 assists for 13 points, leading Buffalo in helpers while sitting third in overall scoring.

The Sabres (7-4-3) are off until Wednesday, when they host the Ottawa Senators.