When the Buffalo Sabres opened their training camp last week, head coach Lindy Ruff highlighted one of the team’s offseason additions, forward Mason Geertsen. The 30-year-old has played most of his recent seasons in the AHL after a brief stint with Ruff’s New Jersey Devils during the 2021-22 NHL season.
Ruff emphasized the importance of culture in the team’s roster moves over the summer. “It’s everything. You can throw Geertsen in there, too, as part of that. He’s a tremendous character guy,” Ruff said when asked about adding players known for their strong locker room presence.
Geertsen joined Buffalo on a two-year, two-way contract signed July 1. Originally drafted by Colorado in 2013, he expressed enthusiasm about joining his new team and reuniting with Ruff. “They were the first ones I heard (from), and I took it as soon as I could get it,” Geertsen said. “I’m excited to come here and play for Lindy, and it’s gonna be a good year.”
During training camp and especially in Monday’s preseason opener against Columbus—a game Buffalo won 4-0—Geertsen stood out both for his size and performance. Playing alongside Joshua Dunne and Tyson Kozak, his line contributed across all areas of play and helped set up Bowen Byram’s opening goal.
Ruff described what he expects from players like Geertsen: “It’s not about hitting, not about fighting,” he said. “It’s about, this is my 1-on-1 battle, I’m going to win it. You saw some wall battles with Geertsen that led to scoring chances.”
Known for his physical style—he logged 77 penalty minutes in just 25 NHL games with New Jersey—Geertsen says he is focused on doing whatever it takes to stay in the lineup. “I’m just a guy trying to do what he can to stay in the lineup and trying to contribute to the team,” he said.
Ruff noted improvements in Geertsen’s conditioning since their time together with New Jersey: “He’s an enforcer, but he’s a well-conditioned athlete, too… When I talked to him this summer, I just said, ‘I need you to get in incredibly good shape if we’re going to use you, where you can skate, you can play.’ He said, ‘I promise you I’ll be in the best possible shape I can get into.’ And he has.”
Geertsen detailed how he increased his offseason training intensity by focusing on strength and conditioning. Reflecting on his career so far and working again under Ruff, Geertsen added: “I’ve known [Lindy] for a while; we’re from the same area… I’m grateful for the opportunity he’s giving me right now, so I’m gonna try and prove to everybody I can do it.”
Ruff echoed that sentiment: “I had Mason in New Jersey, so I know what Mason’s about, I know how hard he works, I know how good a guy he is… Just (needs to) continue to put the work in.”
The Sabres have stated their intention of becoming tougher opponents this season. If Geertsen continues showing improvement during preseason games—including Tuesday night’s matchup against Columbus at KeyBank Center—he may secure a spot on Buffalo’s opening-night roster.
The upcoming game between Buffalo and Columbus will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at KeyBank Center and will be streamed live on Sabres.com.
