The Injury Bug Strikes The Sabres Hard

by Zachary Zielonka on Nov 26, 2011 12:00 PM EST

BUFFALO NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Andrej Sekera #44 Derek Roy #9 and Brayden McNabb #81 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Sekera's goal in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at HSBC Arena on September 25 2010 in Buffalo New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Sabres team depth is being put to the test as Robyn Regehr becomes the eighth player in the last few weeks to suffer some sort of injury that that might cause him to miss some time. The Sabres have a total of 55 man games lost heading into Saturday night's game against the Washington Capitals. From commenter Lassathrax, here is the recent injury list:

G Ryan Miller(notes) suffered a concussion Nov. 12 and is out indefinitely.

LW Tyler Ennis(notes) suffered an ankle injury Oct. 22 and is day-to-day.

LW Cody McCormick(notes) (upper body) was injured Nov. 14 and is out indefinitely.

D Mike Weber(notes) suffered an upper-body injury Nov. 16 and is out "weeks," according to coach Lindy Ruff.

D Tyler Myers(notes) had wrist surgery Nov. 21 and is out four to six weeks.

RW Brad Boyes suffered an ankle injury Nov. 23. There is no timetable for his return.

RW Patrick Kaleta has a lower-body injury and is day-to-day.

D Robyn Regehr suffered an upper-body injury Nov. 25. There is no timetable for his return.

That means that Brayden McNabb becomes the third player in the last week to be called up from the Rochester Americans, T.J. Brennan called up on November 21st and Zack Kassian was called up on November 23rd and played his first game on Friday night. With the rash of injuries lately, the Sabres starting defense might look like this on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals:

Sekera-Ehrhoff
Leopold-McNabb
Gragnani-Brennan

If that doesn't scare anyone off this second statistic should be scarier. If Brayden McNabb makes the starting lineup against the Capitals, he will be the eighth rookie in the lineup for the Sabres, the other seven are Luke Adam, Jhonas Enroth, Drew MacIntyre, Zack Kassian, Marc-Andre Gragnani, T.J. Brennan, and Corey Tropp. That makes up a fourth of the starting offensive lineup, half of the defensive starting lineup, and the entire goaltending core. Along with the Sabres offense having a power outage of sorts, the lack of a consistent lineup in the last few weeks may attribute to some of the Sabres struggles in their last seven games.

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As scary as the situation is becoming for the Sabres, this is good for the youth brigade, getting some crisis-time big-game experience.

by Calvin on Nov 26, 2011 12:06 PM EST reply actions

Now another mystery forward is hurt.

Wtf…

Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I got a TROPPer in the car, uhh!!

by bflo on Nov 26, 2011 12:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I dont remember seeing gaustad much last night

Was wondering if he got benched.

by lgbfromoregon on Nov 26, 2011 12:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

he was in the game during the last minute or so.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"

by FloridaBuffalo on Nov 26, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

While this really stinks...

It is coming at the beginning of the season instead of the end, which might be the only silver lining. This kind of shows how important depth is on a NHL squad…and how our problem of having 7 NHL defensemen is really not a problem when 3 of them are injured. I am looking forward to see how our younger players perform as a group over the next few games…if anything, this is good experience for them to get.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Nov 26, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions

Indeed

Don’t all you guys who were trying to auction off Sekera 3 months ago feel like jackasses now? I shall assume you do & we’ll leave it at that.

Honestly, despite all the ups & downs this season I’d remained pretty buoyant about the Sabres till last night. There’s just nothing good to be said about that game. All we can hope is that it was a turning point and all the kids we’ve had to call up will provide a much-needed kick in the pants. Just so long as the mystery injured forward isn’t Vanek or Pomminville – in which case, screw it, we’re doomed.

by Katemc on Nov 26, 2011 1:12 PM EST reply actions

...I'm not seeing

how all of these injuries happening makes Sekera a better player. Because I sure haven’t seen it on the ice this season.

by pegs on Nov 26, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Nothing better than saying “I told you so.” :p

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Nov 26, 2011 8:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Um, yeah

Do you know why I haven’t been around much lately? Because it is IMPOSSIBLE to maintain a modicum of graciousness regarding “Orange Sweater,” and I’m a lady.

(I told you so.)

by Katemc on Nov 26, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah...

What’s an “Orange Sweater?” I feel like I am missing something.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Nov 27, 2011 1:34 AM EST up reply actions

Wait...

Leino? I should know this…and you freaking are right so far. I am hoping for hotness from him soon though.

(I had to search back to this….but I am following.)

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Nov 27, 2011 1:39 AM EST up reply actions

Disheartening

Despite Ruff saying no NHL team should ever be referred to as a “gimmie”, his team clearly thought last nite would be an easy victory. What I find disheartening is that the Sabres didn’t show up at all, even after getting down by a couple goals. A pathetic effort all around. Bad decisions and weak play. I know there’s bound to be some clunker games where nothing gels, but I didn’t see any passion for playing the game of hockey from the Sabres last nite. They sucked something awful.

by joeysimms on Nov 26, 2011 3:16 PM EST reply actions

Paul SZCZECHURA has been recalled

by FloridaBuffalo on Nov 26, 2011 3:53 PM EST reply actions

needs more Z’s

by lassathrax on Nov 26, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

Not Much In The Pipeline

After watching the last couple of games, I am underwhelmed by the preformances of the rookies up from Rochester. They are getting the chance of a lifetime to show what they can do in the NHL, and they ain’t showing me much.

Gragnani and Adam have done journeymen-like jobs, but nothing to write home about. The others show some brief flashes of talent, such as, Thropp’s goal, but are otherwise invisable. Enroth is a good backup goalie but it has become increasingly apparent since the Devil’s game that he is not ready to be a starter. There were more holes in his crease last night than in the Cowboys at the O. K. Corral.

by Geolover on Nov 26, 2011 5:08 PM EST reply actions

3 straight games

Where rookies have played in their FIRST NHL game and recordeed their first NHL point….i’m not seeing the problem here…Tropp has been a beast even though he’s getting sheltered minutes and not a ton to show on the score sheet, Adam is recently proving those who thought his early points were only a product of Pominville and Vanek wrong and Enroth looks tired, last night was good for him because he got to rest half the game. Brennan hasnt been bad and tonight Szcechura has an assist on a hard fought play in the corner…..what’s not to like about these kids????

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 26, 2011 8:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

And McNabb threw around the body a bit.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Nov 26, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

Really?

“Not much in the pipeline.” Really? What’s your criteria? A young Gretzky? Lemieux?

Enroth alone justifies the farm system. Gragnani is solid and was one of our top three best d-men in last year’s playoffs. Adam looks like a number two in the making. (Put another way, who would you rather have in a straight up trade, Adam or Lieno?). Gragnani and Adam look “journeyman like”? They’re rookies! Can they at least play a year before you start dumping on them?

Tropp has done fine and scored in his first game up. Brennan and McNabb look like they’ve got lots of upside.

Seven rookies starting, the team winning and you want to bust on the rookies? Really?

by CGoetz on Nov 27, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder why Ruff wouldn’t say who the forward was. Makes it seem like it might be Vanek or Pominville. At least Kaleta and Ennis should be back any game now but our defense is looking extremely thin. Hopefully more of the rookies will be able to take advantage of the time up and play like their lives depend on it.

I managed to fulfill one of my dreams and take a shot of whiskey with Rick Jeanneret, while he said "Time for a shhhhhhooooooooottttttttttt" before doing it. - HarryNeale'sGarden

by t_petrillo on Nov 26, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions