The Buffalo Sabres were far too reliant on their superstars in recent seasons. If Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin weren't lighting up the scoreboard, the team was probably losing a lot of games. That's finally started to change in 2025-26.
Buffalo is getting crucial performances from its role players almost every contest, and forward Josh Dunne has been an important part of that equation.
Dunne isn't racking up a ton of points (one goal and three assists in 24 games) but he's excelled defensively, provided lineup flexibility by playing multiple positions and brought a physical edge, including a fight in the season's first meeting with the St. Louis Blues.
The 27-year-old journeyman's play drew praise from Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff ahead of Monday night's rematch with the Blues.
"He's taken advantage of that opportunity … whether it's left wing or fourth-line center, and some penalty killing," Ruff told Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald. "He's been good on faceoffs. I think he's taken advantage of every possible opportunity he's been given, whether it has been physicality or stepping in for somebody, he's been there to answer the bell and take advantage of whatever ice time is given, and I think he's played well."
It's an important night for Dunne, who was born in the St. Louis suburb of O'Fallon, Missouri. It'll be his first NHL appearance in his hometown and he expects at least 50 supporters in the Enterprise Center crowd.
"It's just something that's so amazing and a full-circle moment," Dunne told Hoppe.
Whether he'll stick in the Buffalo lineup as players begin returning from injury is unclear, but it's a great sign for the Sabres that they have viable replacement options available this season, which hasn't been the case for much of the team's 14-year playoff drought.
Josh Dunne earning his most extensive NHL opportunity to date with the Buffalo Sabres
Dunne's journey to a full-time NHL role was a long and winding road. He spent four years in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers and another three playing college hockey at Clarkson University before getting a crack at pro hockey in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
The 6-foot-4 forward made 14 appearances for the Blue Jackets across four years while spending a majority of the time with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.
It was more of the same after signing with the Sabres last season. He played two games with the Blue and Gold but mostly remained a member of the AHL's Rochester Americans.
Buffalo's seemingly never-ending stream of injuries throughout the current campaign opened the door for him to play a more extensive role with the big club, however, and he's taken full advantage.
Along with the four points, Dunne has chipped in 26 hits, 10 blocked shots and won a modest 29 of his 64 faceoff attempts. Again, those numbers aren't going to jump off the page, but he's held his own and that's all the Sabres are asking from fourth-line contributors.
"A lot of times it just takes a break or two," Dunne told Hoppe.
He ranks 10th among 19 Sabres forwards who've taken the ice this season in 5-on-5 expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 48.7%, per Natural Stat Trick. That's ahead of notable players like Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn, among others.
Buffalo will soon have a lineup crunch as Zucker returns from injury and Tyson Kozak, one of Dunne's fellow bottom-six players, may not be too far behind.
So, it's possible the undrafted winger may find himself out of the lineup, or at least part of a fourth-line rotation, in the weeks ahead.
That said, Ruff knows he's a player who can be counted on when called upon, and that gives him a shot to remain with the Sabres for the rest of the season.