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The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with injury concerns as they continue their preparations for the 2026-27 NHL season. On Tuesday, defenseman Olen Zellweger sustained a concussion during a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Zellweger appeared to be injured when he was hit hard by Blue Jackets defenseman Carson Soucy late in the second period. The 23-year-old was attempting to control the puck near the net when Soucy delivered a forceful check.
Following the hit, Zellweger remained down on the ice for an extended period before eventually leaving the game. He has since been placed in concussion protocol, and Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff did not have a significant update on the blueliner's condition.
According to Mike Harrington of Buffalo News Sports, Ruff indicated that Zellweger is in concussion protocol, likely due to hitting his head on the ice. Ruff also agreed with the notion that the hit was clean. Harrington added that the team will further evaluate Zellweger on Wednesday.
In addition to Zellweger, fellow Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson also suffered an injury during the Blue Jackets game. Samuelsson left the contest after attempting to block a shot, and there is no update on his status yet.
Zellweger is a new addition to the Sabres this offseason, having signed a three-year, $9.3 million contract with Buffalo in July. That deal came just days after he was traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Sabres in exchange for Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Zellweger made his NHL debut during the 2023-24 season with the Ducks. Over 164 career games, he has recorded 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points.
Key Analysis
The injuries to Zellweger and Samuelsson leave the Sabres' defensive corps shorthanded as the season approaches. Zellweger, a recent acquisition, was expected to play a significant role on the blue line. His absence, even if short-term, could impact the team's defensive depth and special teams units. The Sabres will need to rely on their remaining defensemen to step up while awaiting further evaluations.
Originally reported by yahoo.