Oft-injured defenseman suffered upper-body injury in the opener of Buffalo’s California road swing
Oft-injured defenseman suffered upper-body injury in the opener of Buffalo’s California road swing
The Buffalo Sabres practiced at Key Bank Center on Sunday coming off the NHL All-Star break, in preparation for their contest with the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. The club had a few notable absences for the nearly 90-minute workout, including winger Jack Quinn and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.
The club spokesman confirmed the news revealed during the break that Quinn had surgery to repair a lower-body injury that will keep him out six to eight weeks, but the injury did not involve his previously injured Achilles or knee.
Samuelsson suffered an upper-body injury in the third period of the Sabres 4-2 loss to Anaheim on January 23rd which will require surgery that will end his season.
"He's so big for us back there. The way he helps defensively, the way he puts his body on the line. That guy blocks so many shots. No matter who's teeing it up, he's getting in the way." Sabres forward Dylan Cozens said. "He's a huge part of this team and we're gonna miss him a lot"
The 23-year-old had seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 41 games, but missed time on multiple occasions with various bumps and bruises. Head coach Don Granato indicated that the injury suffered against the Ducks was something new.
"He's had lingering injuries just by virtue of how he blocks shots and finishes hits. (His) body is always banged up and sore. This was an injury that happened in the game." Granato said. "He was not dealing with this injury prior to the other night, he was dealing with different soreness, but not the injury that we're speaking of now that's going to take surgery (to repair)."
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