Ryan Johnson Entered Final Sabres Roster Evaluation
Injuries to other defensemen have given the Buffalo prospect a new opportunity to secure a 23-man roster spot.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Hockey
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Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ryan Johnson has entered the final evaluation phase of training camp following injuries to teammates Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger. The 25-year-old is competing for a permanent spot on the NHL roster.
Why it matters
The team faces immediate defensive gaps after Samuelsson sustained a lower-body injury and Zellweger entered concussion protocol. Johnson must prove he can fill these vacancies effectively to avoid being placed on waivers.
Ryan Johnson has a salary cap hit of $875,000 and measures 6-foot-1 at 195 pounds. He recorded a minus-12 rating over 56 games with the Rochester Americans last season.
The players
Ryan Johnson
He is a 25-year-old professional hockey player drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2019.
Mattias Samuelsson
He is a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres who is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Olen Zellweger
He is a professional hockey player currently in the team's concussion protocol.
The details
Johnson, who was drafted 31st overall in 2019, has not appeared in an NHL game since October 14, 2025. The Sabres must either waive or trade the defender to move on from his current contract.
Timeline
Ryan Johnson was drafted 31st overall in 2019.
Johnson played 41 NHL games during the 2023-24 season.
The last NHL game played by Johnson occurred on October 14, 2025.
Mattias Samuelsson was injured in a game against Columbus on the Tuesday prior to September 25, 2026.
Johnson participated in a preseason game on the Thursday prior to September 25, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This evaluation process highlights the precarious nature of depth defensemen under the 23-man NHL roster limit. Johnson's ability to transition from the AHL affiliate to the main roster could determine the team's defensive stability for the duration of the current season.
Johnson must be placed on waivers if the team decides to move him back to the Rochester Americans, as he is unlikely to pass through the process unclaimed. His inclusion on the 23-man roster would effectively occupy one of the limited salary cap spots for the upcoming season.
The takeaway
Roster construction in the NHL often depends on the health of key starters, forcing teams to rely on prospects to provide necessary depth. Players like Johnson must capitalize on these brief windows of opportunity to prove their long-term value to the organization.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, check out the Buffalo Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CNHI.
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Should the local hockey team keep developing prospects on its roster despite recent poor performance?
