Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres had no new positive COVID-19 tests on Tuesday, so the team was able to practice for a second-consecutive day.
The six members of the team that are in NHL COVID-19 protocols were, once again, not on the ice. That includes Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner, Dylan Cozens, Mark Jankowski and head coach Don Granato. All are asymptomatic, but haven’t tested out of protocols yet. That means they won’t be playing Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.
You know who will be playing? Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen. The latter of the three players were called up from the Rochester Americans on Tuesday.
Tuch and Krebs were part of the Jack Eichel trade with the Vegas Golden Knights back in November and are likely to makes their Sabres debuts. Meanwhile, Peterka, a 2020 second round pick, is expected to make his NHL debut on Wednesday.
I wish people could’ve seen the smiles from Peterka and Krebs on Tuesday.
In 18 American Hockey League games with the Amerks and Henderson Silver Knights this season, Krebs has four goals and 15 assists for 19 points. With Vegas this season, he had no points in nine games.
Krebs understood why general manager Kevyn Adams sent him straight to Rochester at the time he was acquired from the Golden Knights.
“Being traded was something new for me, so it definitely took some time to reflect and get used to things," Krebs said after Tuesday's practice. "[Amerks head coach] Seth Appert has done a great job with me to give me confidence and allow me to ease into things, and to get comfortable with some new systems and a new organization.”
Krebs is not unhappy at all that he’s now a member of the Sabres. However, he won’t be playing on Wednesday with his Team Canada teammates from a year ago, because Cozens has COVID-19, and Jack Quinn is fighting mononucleosis. Still, this kid really wants to be with these guys for years to come.
“It’s exciting," Krebs said. "You want to create those relationships that you hope that we’re here, all of us until we’re 30 or 35-years-old and we’re all kind of around the same age. So our families can grow and be together, which can be really cool.”
Krebs has played center, wing and even defense in the past year, but he’s going to be a center on Wednesday, where he said he’s most comfortable.
Peterka lives with Swedish winger Linus Weissbach in Rochester. The two of them were out on Monday, and that’s when Peterka found out he was heading to the NHL.
“I was grocery shopping and my phone was not working, so they called Weissbach who was with me," Peterka said following Tuesday's session. "So that was weird, but I got the phone and Appert told me, so it was amazing.”
Many fans don’t understand what development is for these kids. They saw Peterka score goals in the preseason, but they couldn’t see he wasn’t remotely ready for the NHL.
“At first, I was a little bit sad that I didn’t make the team, but I took all that as a learning process," Peterka said. "We have a great coaching staff in Rochester, so I think I really improved there. I think it was a good step for me to go down there and have big minutes.”
Peterka believes he’s now more of a complete player with his time spent with the Amerks.
"Especially in the D-Zone, I've been holding my lane there. On rushes on the boards because it's a smaller rink, just having a better feel for the smaller rink, Peterka said.
Peterka spent a lot of time on Tuesday talking to his center, Tage Thompson. He feels that his line with Thompson and Tuch is quite good.
“It’s unbelievable," Peterka said. "In practice, it was so much fun to play with them, because they’re very skilled players.”
Peterka has four goals and 16 assists for 20 points in 23 games this year with the Amerks. The 19-year-old played on a line with Krebs and Quinn for a short time in Rochester. He really likes getting to know them, because he feels they’ll be teammates for a long time.
“It was a big plus outside of the ice we hung out together, which was a big part and we all became good friends,” Peterka said.
Peterka is from Germany, and that is where his parents live. By the luck of the draw, his parents are here visiting him, so they will be at the arena to see their son’s first NHL game.
Peterka will wear No. 77 with the Sabres, while Krebs will wear No. 19.
Tuesday’s Lines:
Forwards:
Peterka – Thompson – Tuch
Murray – Krebs – Okposo
Asplund – Ruotsalainen – Olofsson
Bjork – Eakin - Hayden
