Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - NHL teams had to have their final roster for the season in on Monday and there was a surprise for the Buffalo Sabres who are out of town on a team retreat.
Conor Timmins played 16:37 in Saturday's final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is starting the season on injured reserve along with defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. Both have lower-body injuries. Before leaving Lindy Ruff said Oleg Zellweger was skating and progressing well through concussion protocol. He will reach the seven day point on Tuesday and is not on IR.
Jason Zucker had sports hernia surgery so he is on IR as well as Connor Sheary, Jack Rathbone and young goalie Topias Leinonen. When healthy the last three will likely go to Rochester.
Both Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon left their final preseason games with injuries. Neither were placed on IR which would seem like good news for the team.
In the preseason Luukkonen played 84 minutes and had a 1.43 goals against and .933 save percentage. Colten Ellis played 97 minutes and had a 1.86 goals against and .932 save percentage. Lyon was in for 58 minutes and supported a 4.14 goals against and .852 save percentage.
Leading the way on the scoresheet were Owen Power and Noah Ostlund. In two games Power had four assists while in three games Ostlund chipped in with two goals and two assists.
Open night for the Sabres is Thursday in Columbus.
Mattias Samuelsson and Jason Zucker also start the season on IR
Mattias Samuelsson and Jason Zucker also start the season on IR
