Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Dunne faces a significant absence from the ice. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed the news on Wednesday. Dunne will miss the next four to six weeks due to a mid-body injury.
Injury Timeline and Team Impact
Coach Ruff provided clear details about the situation. "He is going to be out for a period of time," Ruff told reporters. "It looks like right now the indications are it's a 4- to 6-week type of injury." This timeline means Dunne could return after the 2026 Olympic Games period.
The Sabres must now adjust their lineup without the forward. Defenseman Michael Kesselring might step into game action this week. Ruff mentioned evaluating Kesselring for potential emergency play. "In an emergency basis, Kesselring could play, and we'll evaluate him for tomorrow," the coach stated.
How the Injury Occurred
The exact cause of Dunne's injury remains unclear. The team has not revealed specific details about how he sustained it. Multiple reports point to his last appearance on the ice. Dunne played in Monday's game against the Florida Panthers.
During that contest, he recorded five penalty minutes. This included a fighting major against Panthers defender Donovan Sebrango. Whether this altercation contributed to the injury is unknown.
Josh Dunne's Season and Career Stats
Dunne has appeared in nearly 28 games this NHL season. He has contributed one goal and three assists for four total points. The forward also accumulated 34 penalty minutes before his injury.
This marks his fourth season in the league. Across his career with the Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets, Dunne shows consistent numbers. He has one goal, three assists, and 49 penalty minutes at the NHL level.
His professional experience extends beyond the NHL. Dunne played parts of six seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL). There, he scored 47 goals and 48 assists for 95 points. He also logged 198 penalty minutes across 204 regular-season games.
College and Junior Hockey Background
Before turning professional, Dunne developed his skills in college hockey. He spent three seasons with Clarkson University in the NCAA. In 78 career games, he tallied 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points.
His junior hockey career featured time with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. Dunne played parts of four seasons there. He recorded 34 goals and 40 assists for 74 points in 140 regular-season games.
Buffalo Sabres' Current Standings
The Sabres continue their season without Dunne. Their current record stands at 24 wins, 16 losses, and 4 overtime losses. This gives them 52 points through 44 games in the 2025-26 season.
Buffalo holds sixth place in the Atlantic Division. They trail just one point behind a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team aims to maintain its competitive position during Dunne's recovery.
Their next challenge comes quickly. The Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday at KeyBank Center. This game will test their depth without the sidelined forward.
