Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres won’t have winger JJ Peterka on Saturday, and it’s also possible they won’t have center Josh Norris, as both missed practice on Friday.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says Norris was being evaluated by the medical staff on Friday, but had no further update.
"It’s something he’s been dealing with, so we’ll see where it leads," said Ruff, being very vague on if Norris is dealing with a lower- or upper-body injury.
As for Peterka, Ruff says he is apparently is doing a lot better.
"He won’t play tomorrow, but he’s making the trip, so I would anticipate him playing on the trip," he said of Peterka.
Jacob Bernard-Docker made his first appearance on the ice with his new teammates on Friday after having to deal with immigration issues. The right-shot defenseman was a first-round pick (26th overall) of the Ottawa Senators back in the 2018 NHL Draft, but until last season, he never had gotten much of an opportunity to play.
Bernard-Docker was just happy to be able to start practicing with his new team. This year, he’s only played 25 games with Ottawa and two with their AHL affiliate Belleville Senators.
The 24-year-old says he wants to get a better role with the Sabres.
"You always want to do what you can for the team and be part of it, and I’m really looking forward to just getting into a game again and starting right out of the gate," said Bernard-Docker after Friday's practice.
When Norris arrived with the Sabres on Saturday, he spoke about getting a fresh start. The new Sabres new defenseman looks at it the same way.
"There’s a lot of right [defensemen] in Ottawa, and I wasn’t really getting the opportunity anymore," Bernard-Docker noted. "I’m excited to be here, and hopefully contribute a little more and show what I've got."
Bernard-Docker was injured in practice on Jan. 6, and couldn’t put any weight on his leg as he was helped off. It turned out to be a high ankle sprain.
The good news is the injury is behind him now.
"It’s been a tough season with the injury, and coming back and not getting the opportunity to get back into the lineup. I’m just looking forward to getting back into a game and showing what I can do," Bernard-Docker said.
Even though he’s returned to health, Bernard-Docker hasn’t played in an NHL game since Dec. 28. He says he was cleared to play on March 1.
Jacob Bryson left Wednesday's game in Detroit after Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen crushed his head into the wall, knocking off his helmet. Bryson was back at practice on Friday, and wasn’t upset about the hit.
"I kind of went into the boards more awkward. I don’t know if it was truly dirty, it’s kind of one of those in-between, and he apologized after the game," Bryson acknowledged on Friday. "Luckily I didn’t have a head injury, just a couple of cuts, and I actually felt pretty good."
With the Sabres facing the possibility of not having either Peterka or Norris on Saturday, the team has called up forward Tyson Kozak from the Rochester Americans.
In 11 games with the Sabres this season, Kozak has one goal and no assists. In Rochester, he’s played 31 games with eight goals and six assists for 14 points.
FRIDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Benson – Thompson – Tuch
Zucker – McLeod – Greenway
Krebs – Kulich – Quinn
Malenstyn – Kozak – Lafferty
Defense:
Power – Clifton
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Bryson – Byram
Bernard-Docker