After an injury-plagued opening to the season, the Buffalo Sabres will find themselves at an even greater deficit, as one of their top defencemen, Zach Bogosian is reported to be out a few weeks with a sprained MCL.
Bogosian will be out for weeks with an MCL sprain, per Coach Bylsma.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 3, 2016
Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Zach Bogosian out Weeks with MCL Sprain
Bogosian suffered the injury during the first period of Buffalo’s 2-1 win at Minnesota on Tuesday, in which he did not return to play in. Sabres Coach Dan Bylsma said that he is expected to miss several weeks.
Bogosian is pointless in nine games played, however he is among the team leaders in time on ice, averaging just under 19 minutes a game. The experienced defenceman is considered week-to-week.
Filling the Void
Bogosian was expected to be a major contributor to the Sabres’ blue-line this season. His 2015-16 season was also cut short at just 64 games. This injury comes at an bad time for the Sabres, who are quite tight on right-handed defenceman already. The Sabres will have to look towards their other right-handed defenceman for support to replace Bogosian’s minutes. Blue liners Cody Franson, and Rasmus Ristolainen will most likely be relied on to fill the void that Bogosian leaves. Casey Nelson is also expected to slot into the lineup. It will be interesting to see how coach Bylsma decides to juggle ice time among these blue-liners.
Injury Plagued Sabres
The Sabres have already been suffering on the injury-front this season. They lost top forwards Evander Kane to cracked ribs, and Jack Eichel to an ankle sprain early last month. The Sabres, who were hoping to get out from the basement this season with a quick, hot start, have done moderately well so far. Going 4-3-2 in 9 games, the Sabres are holding up with 10 points, placing them sixth in the Atlantic Division.
The Sabres will play their divisional rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Thursday night. The Leafs are 3-4-3 and 14th in the Eastern Conference.
