Sabres’ Olen Zellweger placed on injured reserve; Dennis Gilbert recalled
The Buffalo Sabres won’t have defenseman Olen Zellweger to start the 2026-27 NHL season, as the 29-year-old was ruled out of Thursday’s season-opening game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Zellweger remained absent from practices due to concussion protocol and was officially ruled out Thursday morning. However, the Sabres said he could play in Saturday’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“He just didn’t get through his tests,” head coach Lindy Ruff said in a team media release. “He’s going to continue to skate for a couple days, and he’ll be retested.”
In other injury updates, the Sabres also indicated that defenseman Mathias Samuelsson could return from his lower body injury for Thursday’s opener, but wanted to see how he felt after a practice and a flight before determining his availability. Goaltender Alex Lyan remained absent but is close to returning.
In place of Zellwegger, the Sabres have called up Denis Gilbert from the AHL’s Rochester Americans, bringing the Buffalo native back into the NHL team, where he played 25 games in 2024-25 before leaving for the Ottawa Senators organization.
Gilbert may not see the ice as a depth option, but he will look to build his NHL résumé, which includes three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 119 games since making his debut with the Blackhawks in 2019.
In addition to the Blackhawks and Sabres, he has also played NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Senators throughout his career.
After Thursday’s opener, the home opener Saturday against the Blackhawks kicks off a five-game homestand featuring follow-up games against the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Utah Mammoth and Florida Panthers. For the Sabres, the friendly early schedule should help them chase their hopes of a strong start and to build on last year’s Stanley Cup playoff excitement.
