Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – With Alex Tuch missing Monday’s practice due to a maintenance day, Jack Quinn took his spot on the right wing with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson.
Jan. 1 always was the target date for Quinn’s return after undergoing Achilles surgery, but he looks at full speed. Sabres head coach Don Granato feels his young winger is about ready.
"He looks ready to go, so it could be as soon as tomorrow," said Granato following Monday's practice.
"The target originally was about this timeframe, and then you go through all the progressions at a pretty good pace with the last progression [being] full blown physicality and battle. We gave him extra days of that, and today was the last good test for him. He was good with it.
"Jack Quinn is a highly intelligent hockey player, and he can add a lot. We’ve been missing him and what he brings, but he is one of our more intelligent, cerebral hockey players, along with a whole lot of skill."
As far as Tuch’s availability for Tuesday, Granato believes he’ll play against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but a firm answer will come after the morning skate.
"We want to make sure it’s going to go the right direction. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow," Granato said. "As long as we don’t feel it’s going to go in the wrong direction and you can play through some nagging [issues] without making it worse, he’d play."
As for Benson, he will not be representing Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship starting next week Tuesday in Sweden. The Sabres have decided they need him in their lineup in Buffalo.
Benson has been a surprise addition to the team this season, as the 18-year-old was expected to play junior hockey this season. Any player is going to take playing in the NHL over the World Juniors, and Benson is no different.
"You’d love to be playing for your country, but you’d love to be playing in the NHL at age 18 too. It’s a win-win," Benson said on Monday. "I’m getting good opportunity, and I’ve just got to keep pushing through."
If there’s one skill I’ve noticed about Benson from the start, it’s his ability to protect the puck, even if he gets knocked to his knees. He says it’s something he learned early on.
"I’ve had it from a young age. I’ve never been the biggest guy, so I remember back when I was 11 or 12, my coaches would ask me how did I protect the puck and keep it there. They’d say, 'You’re 5-foot-1 and they’re 6-foot-2 already.' It’s always blown my coaches away," Benson said.
It’s a skill Granato noticed right away too, adding he hasn’t seen too many 18-year-olds play like that.
"It’s one of many incredible attributes of his [game] is his determination to protect the puck," Granato said.
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is now Benson’s landlord, as the young winger has moved into his basement.
"It’s good for both of them, because those guys are hockey fanatics," said Granato in support of the move for Benson. "I asked both of them their excitement about it, and they both had the same answer: They get to watch hockey every night together, which is a bonus for us, because they’ll ask each other questions. I’m sure they’ll be better because of that."
Jordan Greenway rejoined his teammate for practice on Monday, but isn’t quite ready to play yet. Granato says there’s one component to his injury that hasn’t resolved yet.
After practice the Sabres placed defenseman Jacob Bryson on waivers. He has been a healthy scratch in all but three games this season, serving as the seventh or eighth defenseman for the team.
MONDAY'S LINES:
Forwards:
Benson – Thompson – Quinn
Murray – Jost – Olofsson
Mittelstadt – Cozens – Peterka
Robinson – Krebs – Okposo
Greenway
Defense:
Dahlin – Samuelsson
Power – Jokiharju
E. Johnson – Clifton
Bryson – R. Johnson
