What happened: Samuelsson took part in practice Wednesday after exiting a Sept. 23 preseason victory with a lower-body injury. Ruff said this week the defenseman was week-to-week and expected to rejoin the group soon.

Why it matters: Buffalo lost two defensemen in the same preseason win, thinning camp competition on the blue line. Zellweger is expected to be ready next week, making Samuelsson's return the next step toward a full group ahead of the 2025-26 season.

What to watch: Watch whether Samuelsson progresses to full contact and draws into the next preseason game.