Sabres deal with injuries in preseason

The Buffalo Sabres faced significant injury concerns during their preseason matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger both left the game early. Samuelsson exited the game in the second period after blocking a shot and returned briefly before not returning for the remainder of the game, according to Mike Harrington from The Buffalo News.

Samuelsson had a breakout season last year, playing 78 games and contributing 13 goals and 28 assists. Zellweger, who was making his Sabres debut after being traded to the team this summer, left after a hit from Carson Soucy and required assistance to leave the ice.

Following the game, head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on both players, stating that Samuelsson would be evaluated the next day, while Zellweger was diagnosed with a concussion. This situation raises concerns about the Sabres' defensive depth as they prepare for the regular season, which is just over a week away.

If Samuelsson or Zellweger miss time, Zach Metsa and potentially Ryan Johnson could fill in, while the Sabres may need to adjust their defensive pairings. The team's top defensemen, including Rasmus Dahlin, are expected to see increased ice time to compensate for any absences, which could impact their overall performance as they aim to replicate last season's success where they reached the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.