Gilbert Sent Down, Former Sabre Gets Fined, Amerks Update

The Buffalo Sabres return home to start a four-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, and they made a roster move to send a former Sens blueliner back to their AHL affiliate. Defenseman Dennis Gilbert was called up after veteran Matt Grzelcyk went on injured reserve, but with the Sabres returning home, they demoted the veteran to the Rochester Americans on Sunday. 

The Buffalo native posted two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in five games since being recalled earlier this month, and played in the 7-6 win over Anaheim on Thursday. Both Grzelcyk and Conor Timmins have been out with lower body injuries, so it is possible that one or both are close to returning to the lineup. 

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In former Sabres news, Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 for a sucker punch of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic on Saturday.  Zadorov was assessed a pair of minor penalties for roughing as well as a 10-minute misconduct. The former Buffalo first rounder leads the NHL with 47 penalty minutes this season. Another former Sabre, Dylan Cozens had a goal and an assist in the Ottawa Senators 5-1 win in San Jose over the Sharks on Saturday. 

In AHL news, the Rochester Americans beat Lehigh Valley 6-3 at Blue Cross Arena on Friday. Jake Richard scored his third of the season, and Matthew Peca had a goal and two assists for the Amerks, who are 5-4-1 this season, and on fifth place in the North Division. 

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