The Buffalo Sabres lost multiple key players this offseason, but forward Josh Doan doesn't believe the team will take a step back.
"Everyone's got their own opinion on us again this year on whether or not we're going to take a step, or whether or not we lost and got worse this summer, which, I mean, you can guess all you want, no one really knows what anyone's done," Doan told Buffalo Hockey Beat's Bill Hoppe. "I think our group's pretty confident in that we're a better team heading into this year."
The Sabres traded defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal that netted them the No. 4 pick, which they used on blue-liner Daxon Rudolph. Byram ranked second among Sabres defensemen in points (42) last season and third in average time on ice (22:20).
Buffalo also sent forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal. Tuch ranked second among Sabres forwards in goals (33), points (66), and average time on ice (19:00).
As a pending free agent, Tuch's departure was always on the table, but the trade of Byram, who had another year left on his deal, surprised Doan.
"Bo was tough," Doan said. "Obviously, you don't know that one's coming."
Doan added: "(Byram) means a lot to our group. His personality, obviously, is huge, and he's someone that we're going to have to fill in terms of the locker room as well and just being a little bit more vocal."
The Sabres' biggest addition of the offseason was 22-year-old offensive defenseman Olen Zellweger, who posted 22 points in a third-pairing role with the Anaheim Ducks last season.
While Zellweger can help replace the void left by Byram, Buffalo will largely be relying on internal development to replace Tuch. That includes, Doan, who's set to enter the first season of a seven-year contract carrying an average annual value of $6.95 million. The 24-year-old, who was acquired in the 2025 offseason from the Utah Mammoth, is coming off a breakout year in which he tallied 25 goals and 52 points to help Buffalo end its 14-year playoff drought.
