Sabres Honor Rob Ray in Hall of Fame Induction Amid NHL Trade Deadline Buzz

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres faced off against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center, but the spotlight was on former Sabres enforcer Rob Ray, who was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held before the game, celebrated Ray’s 14-season career with the Sabres, where he became known for his toughness and dedication.

The Sabres (19-26-5) and Predators (18-24-7) entered the game with both teams struggling this season. The Predators, coming off a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, are seventh in the Central Division, while the Sabres are looking to improve their 27th-ranked power play and 23rd-ranked penalty kill.

With the NHL Trade Deadline just five weeks away, Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams is evaluating the roster for potential moves to create cap space. Younger players like Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, who have underperformed this season, are under scrutiny, while prospects such as Jiri Kulich and Tyson Kozak aim to secure spots on the senior team for next season.

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff emphasized the need for grit, particularly in adversity, an area where the team has struggled this season. “We need to see more resilience from our guys,” Ruff said. “When things get tough, we can’t fold.”

The Predators, meanwhile, are on their annual fathers’ trip, with players bringing their dads along for the road swing. After Buffalo, they head to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins. Forward Filip Forsberg, who has 11 points in his last five games, is a key player to watch for Nashville.

Rob Ray’s induction ceremony began at 6 p.m., with fans encouraged to arrive early for alumni appearances, Ray-themed giveaways, and photo opportunities. Ray, who played 900 games for the Sabres, is the 44th member of the team’s Hall of Fame. “It’s an incredible honor,” Ray said. “Buffalo has always been home to me, and this means everything.”

Projected starters for the game included Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the Sabres and Juuse Saros for the Predators. The Sabres’ lineup featured Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, and Alex Tuch, while the Predators relied on Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Roman Josi to lead the charge.

As the season progresses, both teams are looking to build momentum ahead of the trade deadline and the NHL Draft lottery. For the Sabres, honoring a franchise legend like Rob Ray provided a moment of celebration amid a challenging season.