With the Buffalo Sabres waiving Remi Elie on Saturday morning, it’s almost certain that the team is preparing to call up a forward from the AHL’s Rochester Americans. A move will likely come either Sunday or Monday, but the Sabres have several options for call-ups.
In addition, with Johan Larsson considered day-to-day, it’s possible that the Sabres could even call up two forwards from the Amerks. Buffalo isn’t back in action until Tuesday, when the Minnesota Wild come into town.
With that being said, here are three call-up options for the Buffalo Sabres at this point:
1. CJ Smith – Smith would be the first guy on my list to recall. He’s second on the Amerks in scoring with 38 points, just one behind the injured (defenseman) Zach Redmond. Smith has 16 goals and 22 assists in 40 games this season, including six goals on special teams.
The 24-year-old has played six games in his NHL career, including four this season. He has one goal – a game-winner – and eight shots on goal this season with the Sabres. His last NHL action came just shy of a month ago, on January 8 against the New Jersey Devils. Coincidentally, that’s also the game where Smith had the game-winner.
Bringing Smith up would be a great option for the Sabres, provided he actually got to play. He’s a smart, skilled forward who certainly seems to have earned his shot at an NHL gig.
2. Victor Olofsson – This one seems a less likely realistic option for the Sabres, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing to see Olofsson get a chance. Like Smith, Olofsson has 38 points this season (15 goals, 23 assists). Three of his 15 goals have come on the man advantage.
Olofsson, of course, is a little bit of a question mark when it comes to the NHL. The 23-year-old is in his first season playing hockey in North America and has yet to make his NHL debut, but it’s possible the Sabres could give him that shot in this home stretch.
3. Danny O’Regan – Again, it seems unlikely that the Sabres will recall O’Regan, but it sure would be nice. He’s a skilled center whose shown his ability to play at the AHL level and is deserving of a recall in many eyes.
O’Regan has 30 points this season in 44 games with the Amerks, including 17 goals. Six of those have come on the man advantage.
With Elie on waivers, look for the Sabres to make a recall in the next few days before their next game on Tuesday. Will they recall one of the aforementioned players? Or someone else – like Alex Nylander, or old friend Scott Wilson? Stay tuned.