The Buffalo Sabres began their 2025-26 training camp on Wednesday, with general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff addressing the media about the team’s preparations and key topics for the season.
A primary focus was on Alex Tuch’s contract status. Tuch, who scored 36 goals and recorded 67 points last season, is entering the final year of his deal and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Adams stated, “Alex has been told very clearly by myself and the organization how important he is to us; we want him here long term. The good news is that he’s said the exact same thing about being here. He wants to be here. He’s made it clear to me and to us.
“And we’ve had good, productive conversations with the Bartletts this summer – that’s his agency. These things take time. We’re gonna work through it.”
Adams explained that many high-profile players around the league are also in similar situations as training camps begin, citing Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel as examples. He said, “I don’t think it’s by accident that you haven’t seen a lot of extensions coming through, especially with some really high-profile players. I think it’s just the nature, maybe, of the players trying to figure out where the market is and where it’s headed. The teams (are) trying to understand exactly where they can go from a cap perspective.”
Tuch is expected to receive a significant raise from his current $4.75 million cap hit based on his performance over four seasons in Buffalo. Adams emphasized reaching an agreement with Tuch as a priority but does not expect ongoing negotiations during the season to distract from team objectives: “Going to continue to talk to his agents here in the coming days and have some meetings lined up, and we’ll keep working at it,” Adams said. “I’m not going to put a deadline on it, though.”
Regarding injuries, starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is dealing with a lower-body issue that showed no major damage but has caused discomfort during training. Adams said there are no significant concerns at this point: “There’s no alarms right now saying that it’s a significant injury, but there was tweak that he didn’t feel great… It’s one of these situations where it’s day to day, but could it stretch a little longer? Yes. Do we think that’ll happen? No, but he may not be on the ice first day of practice.”
To provide depth at goaltender amid uncertainty about Luukkonen’s availability, Buffalo signed Alexandar Georgiev last week to a one-year contract. Georgiev led NHL goaltenders in wins for two consecutive seasons before struggling last year with Colorado. Ruff commented on Georgiev’s arrival: “I think he’s proven that he’s a good, quality goaltender in this league,” Ruff said. “I think he’s got something to prove… I think his head is in the right place, and I think he’s a guy that we needed (for) protection, and he’ll give us that.” Adams added that bringing in Georgiev was necessary organizationally given possible unknowns regarding Luukkonen’s health.
This year’s training camp will proceed without overseas travel disruptions like last September’s Global Series trip abroad—a change both Ruff and Adams see as beneficial for team preparation routines ahead of opening night.
Ruff confirmed continuity among team leaders for this season: Rasmus Dahlin remains captain while Tuch, Tage Thompson, and Mattias Samuelsson serve as alternate captains.
Looking ahead at team identity for 2025-26 after allowing one of the highest goal totals in the league last year, both Adams and Ruff stressed defensive improvement and greater competitiveness: “I think we’ve been too easy to play against, and I’ll take responsibility for that,” Adams said. He described upcoming training camp sessions as especially demanding—not as punishment—but aimed at raising standards across strength and conditioning expectations communicated since last season ended.
Buffalo plans to conclude its camp with what Ruff called a “team culture” retreat focused on building unity before starting regular-season play October 9th.
The Sabres aim for better results this season—targeting playoff contention through improved defense and cohesion developed during camp.
