BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres possess so much notable depth that a strong argument can be made for keeping every bubble player left in training camp.

Center Tyson Kozak’s gritty, mature style grabbed the Sabres’ attention during his 21-game look last season. Josh Dunne’s heavy game might fit nicely on the fourth line. Dunne, one of the AHL’s best all-around centers, has a one-way contract this season.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev led the NHL in wins in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, compiling 78 total victories.

On defense, Ryan Johnson, the 31st overall pick in 2019, has quietly stood out in the preseason, displaying a calmer, more physical game.

Kozak, Dunne and Georgiev all must clear waivers to be assigned to the Rochester Americans. Johnson can still be sent to the AHL without waivers.

So giving Johnson, 24, more development time in the minors could be an easy solution as the Sabres try to trim their roster to reach the 23-man limit by Monday.

But would it be the best move?

Not only has the prospect been making a strong case he deserves a spot, the Sabres have two injured defensemen, Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power, and another one, Bowen Byram, who returned Wednesday after missing two days of practice.

While Power’s expected to be ready later this week, defense depth is always at a premium.

Byram, Power, Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin, Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins likely comprise the Sabres’ six regulars. Johnson, Jacob Bryson and rookie Radim Mrtka, who could be returned to his junior team, are the other blueliners in camp.

“I’m sure every coach wants a hard decision,” Johnson told the Times Herald prior to playing in Wednesday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in KeyBank Center. “They want that competitiveness to be a part of the decision they have to make.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Johnson is no stranger to the NHL, having played 41 games as a rookie in 2023-24. Last season, however, the University of Minnesota graduate played 67 games for the Amerks and just three for the Sabres.

A full campaign in Rochester – he played big minutes and drew tough assignments, usually alongside partner Jack Rathbone – buoyed his development.

“I think it definitely helped build a little grit in the game,” Johnson said. “Just during the AHL season, just like any season, it’s a grind. But just being able to have that consistency of playing every game was really fun.”

In one shift early in Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, Johnson illustrated how difficult he can be to play against.

After Johnson broke his stick cross-checking one of the Red Wings in the corner, the play kept going in the defensive zone. When the puck popped out to the opponent, he tried to angle him on the boards and push him.

After the puck slid to the point, he rushed out to hit the player and earned a holding penalty.

But forget about the infraction.

“I thought he was intense inside the game,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “I thought he was physical. I thought he was the type of guy the other team noticed, which is a good thing.”

Of course, Johnson’s skating – “His legs are his gift,” Ruff said – is his greatest asset.

“Based on some drills that we’ve put in there to really see what the speed is like against our D, he was the one in the one drill that just blew by our D,” Ruff said. “So I think that kind of gives you an indication where his skating is at.”

Sometimes, however, Ruff said Johnson’s legs “get him in trouble.”

Johnson said he has learned to slow down and be “positionally sound.”

“With those legs,” Ruff said, “he can play against top players if he stays under control.”

– Another day, another injury for the Sabres.

Ruff said Wednesday morning winger Zach Benson has “a little bit of an ailment that we’re keeping him off the ice for.” He said the injury is only a “short-term thing.”

Benson joins Samuelsson (upper body) and Power (strain) and forwards Jordan Greenway (mid body) and Noah Ostlund (undisclosed) on the sideline.

Ruff said none of the players have long-term injuries. He hopes Power can return to the ice later this week.

The Sabres did, however, get some good news. Byram participated in Wednesday’s pregame skate after missing two days with an upper-body injury. He did not play against the Penguins.