Buffalo Sabres forward Scott Wilson has cleared NHL waivers and been assigned to the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
Wilson, who hasn’t played a game with the Sabres this season after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason, will be a nice addition to the Amerks. He joined the team for practice on Wednesday, and according to Let’s Go Amerks, spent an additional 30 minutes on the ice putting in work alongside Sean Malone and Eric Cornel.
Wilson has played in 172 NHL games in his career, but hasn’t played since April 7, 2018. Being assigned to the Amerks will give him a chance to get his legs back and make sure he’s in playing shape; he’s been practicing with the Sabres for a while, but obviously games are a different story.
The Sabres, of course, are heading out on a Western Canada road trip soon and then also have the NHL All-Star Game break coming up. They’ve also got too many bodies in the lineup as it is, especially with the possibility of Jack Eichel returning to the lineup this weekend. Sending Wilson down to Rochester at this point makes the most sense, both for the individual player and for the team.
The Amerks currently sit atop the AHL’s North Division with 46 points, a two-point lead ahead of the Syracuse Crunch. They’re currently preparing for a home-and-home series this weekend against the Toronto Marlies, who are fifth in the division and seven points below the Amerks.