The Buffalo Sabers announced that forwards Kyle Okposo and Marcus Johansson will both miss time due to upper-body injuries. Okposo is listed as indefinite with another concussion. While Johansson’s injury is more minor, deemed day-to-day.
“Guys are working hard to find the right path, and it’s a different kind of challenge. But it’s a good one to get to know our ability to adjust and get to know our depth…”
Coach Krueger addresses the current injuries: https://t.co/b51DdP84gn pic.twitter.com/QsX9WSS3Th
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 18, 2019
Kyle Okposo Injured
This past Saturday, the Sabres were playing against the Ottawa Senators. Towards the end of the second period, Okposo stepped onto the ice where he collided with Senators defenceman Ron Hainsey. The hit knocked Okposo out of the game. This will be the fourth consecutive season that he has suffered a concussion.
So far this season, Kyle Okposo has scored one goal and four assists for five points to go along with 18 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 54.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 6.7.
Over his 13-year NHL career, Okposo has played for the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres. He has 188 goals and 304 assists for 492 career points in 767 career games. He was originally drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round, seventh overall in the 2006 NHL draft.
Marcus Johansson Injured
Johansson has been dealing with an ailing upper-body injury that will keep him out even longer. It seems that the Sabres veteran forward’s the injury isn’t of too much concern, yet the Sabres want to take their time with the forward.
So far this season, Johansson has scored four goals and six assists for ten points to go along with six minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 48.5 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of zero.
Over his eleven-year NHL career, Johansson has played for the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and the Buffalo Sabres. He has 124 goals and 220 assists for 344 career points in 605 career games. He was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 24th overall in the 2009 NHL draft.
What this means for the Future
These are not the only injury problems affecting the Sabres. Today, the Buffalo Sabres also announced that right-wing Tage Thompson is sidelined for three to five weeks with an upper-body injury. While center Johan Larsson has been deemed be day-to-day with an upper-body injury as well.
For the 31-year old Okposo, this will be the fourth consecutive season he will have to sit out due to concussions. All of these in less than three years. With Okposo already dressing for over 750 games, some may be wary of any return at all. The Sabres were off to a way hotter start than most expected, but have recently declined due to obvious injury problems. With five guys on the Injured reserve, it seems like dark times are ahead for the sabres.
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