Sabres salary cap outlook 2026-27: Which big contracts could be on the move?

The Buffalo Sabres are up against the salary cap heading into the 2026-27 season.After ending their league-record playoff drought and getting back to the postseason for the first time in 15 years, the Sabres have some difficult decisions to make. Keeping the band together entirely as constructed won’t be possible.In his first summer on the job, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen has a lot on his plate. The Sabres have a competitive window opening now, but they also have an emerging young core that looks like it can keep that window open for a long time if Kekäläinen handles the next few years the right way.How will Kekäläinen balance the short and long term? Here’s a look at Buffalo’s cap outlook next season and beyond to get an idea of what pressing decisions Kekäläinen has to make.2026-27

Projected cap space: $12.9 million

UFAs: Alex Tuch, Beck Malenstyn, Josh Dunne, Logan Stanley, Luke Schenn, Tanner Pearson

RFAs: Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs, Michael Kesselring2027-28

Projected cap space: $53.8 million