Sabres 2022-23 leading scorer could be out up to two months with upper-body injury
The Buffalo Sabres were mauled 5-2 by the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, their last home game before heading out on a four-game road swing, and found out after the game that they will be making the trip without top center Tage Thompson.
Thompson blocked a shot from Boston’s Charlie McAvoy in the second period and did not return. After the game, Sabres head coach Don Granato indicated that he would miss “significant time”, but on Wednesday, he provided more of a timeframe for how long Thompson would be out.
"I said less than a couple months is when it's expected," Granato said. "It's more week to week. I don't have a target date for him yet, but I think I mentioned this morning (on a radio interview), we don't expect it to be two months.”
It is possible that Thompson will not return until the New Year, which will put more of the offensive burden on centers Casey Mittelstadt and Dylan Cozens.
Mittelstadt has had an excellent year so far, leading the club with 10 assists and tied for the club lead with Jeff Skinner with 13 points. Cozens has had a slower-than-expected start (3 goals, 5 assists) alternating between wing and center, and has missed two games with a broken nose.
"I don't really think I look at it much differently. I'm gonna prepare to try to play my best. I definitely think I have a little comfort in my preparation and what I do to get ready for games now."Mittelstadt said, "I have confidence out there and I think I can take on the challenge for sure."
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