Two Key Defensemen Suffered Injuries In Tuesday's Preseason Game Against

Two Sabres Defensemen Injured in Preseason Win Over Blue Jackets

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Injuries to defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger clouded an otherwise positive night for the Buffalo Sabres, who defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 in a preseason contest at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed the severity of both injuries. Samuelsson is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, and Zellweger is in concussion protocol.

How the Injuries Occurred

Zellweger was hit hard by Columbus' Carson Soucy with 1:35 to go in the second period and did not return for the third, while Samuelsson blocked a shot earlier that period and took two more shifts before heading to the locker room for the rest of the game.

Buffalo was already ahead 3-0 when Soucy caught Zellweger, who needed help getting to the dressing room. Ruff detailed the sequence, saying, "I think (Olin) just got caught admiring his pass, and I think the shoulder got him right on the chin," before adding "I don't think that part hurt him, I think when he fell, it looked to me like he might have banged his head on the ice."

On Wednesday, Ruff offered a cautiously optimistic update on Zellweger's condition, noting "My conversation with him today, he felt better already," though he added, "That's very encouraging to me, but I don't want to get ahead of myself."

Impact on the Blueline

Coach Ruff had no updates immediately after the game on either of the defensemen, whose absences forced Buffalo to roll with just four blueliners in the third period.

Both players are expected to play prominent roles for Buffalo this season. Samuelsson was an important member of Buffalo's blueline last season, notching 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in 78 games while averaging just under 23 minutes of ice time, then adding three goals and four assists for seven points in the Sabres' 13 playoff games.

Zellweger, meanwhile, arrived in Buffalo via a significant offseason transaction. He is a fourth-year NHL player acquired by Buffalo in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks shortly after the Sabres traded second-pair defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks.

After the trade, the Sabres signed him to a three-year, $9.3 million contract extension.

Looking Ahead

The Buffalo Sabres open their 2026-27 regular season against the Columbus Blue Jackets in exactly a week's time, and both Samuelsson and Zellweger are now question marks for the opening contest.

Buffalo's preseason schedule continues as the club visits the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday before hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, ahead of their regular-season opener on October 1 at Columbus.