Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced two key forwards, wingers Zach Benson and Jason Zucker, will return to game action soon.
Zucker is expected to play Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Benson is also getting close, though an exact date wasn't provided ahead of Wednesday's clash with the Calgary Flames.
"I'm very encouraged that in a short period of time he'll be back," Ruff told reporters.
Josh Norris is also back practicing with the Sabres after suffering an upper-body injury in the team's season-opening loss to the New York Rangers on Oct. 9. Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News projects it'll be at least another week before the top-line center plays in a game, though.
While that's all great news for a suddenly resurgent Buffalo club, it does mean some difficult lineup decisions lie ahead for Ruff and his staff.
Buffalo Sabres' battle for playing time is about to get intense, and these players may miss the cut
Peyton Krebs
This felt like the last opportunity for Krebs to deliver a true breakout season and, at least so far, it hasn't come close to materializing. He's failed to score a goal across 19 appearances and he's tallied just five assists. He also owns a minus-10 rating.
It's understandable why Buffalo has given the 24-year-old Canadian center numerous chances. He was a key piece of the Jack Eichel trade, which hasn't aged well, and he's a hardworking, team-first player who's willing to stand up for his teammates.
Although those are admirable qualities, especially for a franchise that's been lacking in that regard in recent years, ultimately there must be a minimum bar for on-ice production levels, and Krebs hasn't come anywhere close to reaching it during his time with the Sabres.
As it stands, Noah Ostlund looks like a far better option to lead the fourth line. The 2022 first-round pick scored two goals in Monday's win over the Edmonton Oilers. Taking him out of the lineup now just to keep playing an unproductive Krebs would be a mistake.
Isak Rosen
Rosen wasn't given a fair shot to win a top-six role in training camp. After being sent back to the AHL's Rochester Americans, the winger said he was motivated to prove "Buffalo was wrong," and he's done exactly that since being called up among the club's injury crisis.
The 22-year-old Swede has recorded six points (three goals and three assists) in eight games. That came on the heels of a red-hot start for that Amerks that saw him rack up five goals and seven helpers in just eight AHL outings this season.
Unfortunately, the returns of Zucker, Benson and Norris are going to severely cut the amount of top-six minutes available and Rosen isn't really built to play a checking-line role. He can also be sent to Rochester without having to clear waivers when Buffalo needs to create a roster spot.
Sometimes the NHL is simply a numbers game, and that's likely going to cost Rosen his place in the Sabres lineup in the near future. He proved worthy of the opportunity to wear a Buffalo sweater more regularly when a spot arises, though.
Josh Dunne
Dunne has quietly played well for the Sabres. He ranks seventh among Buffalo forwards in expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 5-on-5 with a 49.8% mark and the club has generated 54% of the high-danger chances when he's on the ice in those situations, per Natural Stat Trick.
Again, the roster numbers just don't work in his favor, though. It's hard to see the Sabres benching Jordan Greenway, who's being paid $4 million, or Beck Malenstyn, who general manager Kevyn Adams gave up a second-round draft pick to acquire, to keep the veteran forward in the lineup.
That said, having players who are capable of making a positive impact without significant ice time is something the Blue and Gold have lacked in recent years. Dunne proved willing and able to handle that type of niche assignment, which will keep him in the lineup conversation for the rest of the year.
For now, however, the Sabres are nearing the return of multiple key contributors and that raises the chances of continuing their recent turnaround.