Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres got some bad news on Monday regarding the COVID-19 front. Forward Tage Thompson entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, as the team announced during practice.
A bit of good COVID-19 news for the Sabres on Monday was defenseman Casey Fitzgerald came out of protocols.
With Thompson in COVID-19 protocols along with Alex Tuch, Kyle Okposo and Peyton Krebs, 2020 first round pick Jack Quinn has been called up to the Sabres' taxi squad. He’ll be elevated to the roster before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Buffalo will also have to recall one more forward before Tuesday's game.
Head coach Don Granato did say Tuch and Okposo are feeling good and should be out of protocol very soon, but neither will play on Tuesday.
Granato is excited to see the 20-year-old Quinn play in his first NHL game.
“I got to see another game in Rochester on Friday and enjoyed watching him with many others on that team," he said following Monday's practice. "I’m excited for him, because he’s done so well in the American Hockey League, and there are a lot of things in that league that are just easy for him now after gaining the experience of a year ago and building on it. He’s ready for this next new challenge. The timing’s right for him.”
In 20 games with the Amerks this season, Quinn has 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points.
Quinn practiced on the left wing on Monday with Dylan Cozens and Vinnie Hinostroza.
“This is an opportunity to put him in the lineup on Dylan Cozens' line," Granato said. "Two young, exciting guys that are offensive gifted guys.”
Quinn and Cozens were teammates a few different times with Team Canada, and they have totally different skill sets. Cozens feels they complement each other.
“I, for sure, think that we complement each other," Cozens said following Monday's session. "Playing with a guy like him that can shoot the puck like him, I’m going to be looking to find him and get the puck in his hands for shots. I think I can play that kind of playmaker role as well.”
Cozens and Quinn are part of a young nucleus that includes Krebs, JJ Peterka, Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Ryan Johnson, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and, of course, Owen Power. Cozens loves to see all these young players being integrated in.
“It’s exciting. I think it’s a quick glimpse of what the future is going to be like," he said.
“Everyone around here is very excited for what we’ve got going, and the pieces we have. We know we’re going to be a really great team in this league one day, and we know we’re going to be a team that can compete for a Cup.”
Quinn missed some time with mono, but he’s been back for three games.
“My first game back I didn’t feel great," Quinn admitted on Monday. "It took me the first two periods to get back into it, but by the third, I was feeling more like myself.”
With having mono, Quinn didn’t get the opportunity to get called up like Krebs and Peterka did.
“I watched and was super excited for those guys," Quinn said. "Obviously playing with them in Rochester, we were pretty close friends, and I thought they looked great. But I think injuries or sickness, or whatever are part of the game. So I can’t control I got mono. I was just looking forward to getting back and knowing if I kept working, I’d get my own opportunity at some point.”
Last season, Quinn wasn’t as productive in Rochester, scoring just two goals and seven assists for nine points in 15 games. He said that experience helped him step up his production this season.
“I learned how tough it is going through some struggles figuring out the weaknesses in my game," Quinn said. "Being able to attack those this summer and mentally know what to expect coming into this year helped me.”
Tuesday's game is just the Sabres' fifth game in 24 days.
MONDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Skinner – Asplund – Olofsson
Quinn – Cozens – Hinostroza
Bjork – Eakin – Hayden
Girgensons – Jankowski – Caggiula
Defense:
Dahlin – Jokiharju
Butcher – Pysyk
Bryson – Miller
Hagg – Fitzgerald
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
