The extended break couldn't have come at a better time for the Buffalo Sabres, as they lost three of their final four games and had several players dealing with injuries. For most of the season, the Buffalo Sabres have dealt with injuries to several players but the good news is that a number of them are expected to be returning shortly after the break.
That group includes Josh Norris, Zach Benson, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Justin Danforth. The return of these players would be good news, but it also means players who have been regularly in the lineup may be healthy scratches or even sent back down to Rochester.
These are four players who's roster spot is in serious jeopardy coming out of the Olympic break.
Konsta Helenius
Konsta Helenius had a great start to his NHL career with four points in the first three games, including a goal and two assists in the first period against the Nashville Predators. However, he hasn't done much since the start, as he has no points in the final six games leading into the Olympic break.
At only 19 years old, Helenius still has plenty of time to make it to the NHL and be a regular contributor. It was a great opportunity for him to get some exposure at this level, but with players like Josh Norris and Zach Benson set to return, he would likely be a healthy scratch most nights.
The Sabres probably would rather see him get regular ice time with Rochester, and that is why he was already sent down to the AHL.
Tyson Kozak
One of the big returns after the Olympic break should be forward Justin Danforth, who signed as a free agent this summer but has appeared in only four games. He suffered a broken kneecap that has kept him off the ice, but Ruff said he could be on the ice after the break.
At the time of the signing, Danforth was expected to be a big part of the Sabres' fourth line, and that is where he should step in once ready. Between him and Jordan Greenway, this probably limits the ice time available for Tyson Kozak, who has appeared in 35 games this season with 2 goals, 2 assists, and 92 hits.
The Sabres will keep him on the roster as an extra forward, especially if they need to continue to manage Greenway's ice time, but his ice time won't be as consistent as it was prior to the Olympic break.
Jacob Bryson
The Buffalo Sabres have had to deal with more than their fair share of injuries on their blue line as Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins have missed extended time. Kesselring has returned but has struggled, as it seemed he wasn't fully recovered, but Timmins, hopefully, can return shortly after the Sabres return to the ice.
Even with these returns, the Sabres could be looking to add to this part of the roster ahead of the trade deadline. When considering all these moving pieces, Jacon Bryson is a player who could be moved out of the lineup or even waived to create a needed roster spot.
Bryson has appeared in 35 games but has seen his ice time diminish significantly as of late, as the Sabres have leaned heavily on their Top 4. In the last eight games leading into the break, Bryson has had 10 minutes or less in six of them.
Colten Ellis
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered an injury on January 27th against the Toronto Maple Leafs that kept him out of the remainder of the Sabres' games leading into the break, as well as his chance to play in the Olympics. The Sabres have continued to go with this three-goalie rotation, and Colten Ellis was able to step in, both in relief in the game against Toronto and then got the start against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which they lost 4-3 in overtime.
Luukkonen should be ready to return coming out of the break and when all three goalies are healthy, Ellis has usually been the odd-man out.
It will be interesting to see how the Sabres approach the position with the trade deadline right around the corner. The belief has been that they would move one of the goalies, but with the injuries over the course of the season, they may benefit from keeping all three.