Updated:
No roster moves for Tim Murray at the 5pm EDT final roster deadline.
The Sabres have placed defensemen Zach Bogosian, Brendan Guhle, Bobby Sanguinetti, and forward Cody McCormick on injured reserve to start the season.
The IR designation means that Bogosian will have to miss the first week of the regular season. He will miss the games against Ottawa, Tampa, and Columbus.
The 23 men that practiced today are the season opening roster.
See below.
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#41 skated in Buffalo Sabres practice on Tuesday morning.
Jack Eichel has been rocking Stu Barnes' old sweater number since he first arrived in Buffalo for rookie development camp in July.
Eichel has not been given the green light to trade in the #41 sweater for a #15 version.
That's because the 18 year old has not officially made the Buffalo roster. Yet.
Dan Bylsma said that he will be having a chat with the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner about his employment status in very near future. Bylsma also noted that it will not be a 15 minute conversation that he has with Eichel.
After practice, Eichel told media that just because he has earned an opening night roster spot doesn't necessarily mean that he has earned a permanent roster spot in Buffalo. He said that he has to prove to his coaches and teammates that he deserves the opportunity to stay and play in Buffalo after the Ottawa game ends.
"You’re finally playing hockey for a living and everything you’ve done your whole life is to get to this point. It’s pretty special"
The Sabres have to submit their final 23 man roster by 5pm this afternoon. There were 23 players on the ice for practice on Tuesday. What you see is what you get in terms of the season-starting roster.
There are 13 forwards, 8 D, and 2 goalies on the Buffalo's roster. The best 12 forwards and 6 D will play. Bylsma and his assistant coaches will be the judge and jury.
No players were waived on Tuesday.
Zach Bogosian is still dealing with his lower body ailment. Goalie Linus Ullmark was on the ice in Rochester on Tuesday. Cody McCormick is still dealing with his blood clotting issue. Brendan Guhle and Bobby Sanguinetti are presently injured.
Bylsma flipped the script at Tuesday's practice when he introduced these newly configured line trios:
Moulson-O'Reilly-Ennis
Kane-Eichel-Gionta
Foligno-Girgensons-Reinhart
Deslauriers-Legwand-Larsson/McGinn
My take:
I love Evander Kane skating with Jack Eichel and captain Brain Gionta. This line has speed to burn opponents. I also like the Moulson-Ennis reunion with Ryan O'Reilly.
The line that really love is L3 where burly Marcus Foligno and the rambunctious/steady Zemgus Girgensons are protecting Sam Reinhart. Samson will have time and space to make plays and get his shots off with Marcus and Zemgus as his line mates. I'm going to go ahead and assume that Reinhart has made the team based on the new third line configuration that Bylsma and Dave Barr have recently created.
I'm sticking to my guns by saying that Johan Larsson will be the odd man out on opening night.
I'm going to go ahead and say that Nic Deslauriers will ride dirty with David Legwand and Jamie McGinn. Larsson will be your 13th forward. Perhaps Bylsma will be evaluating the play of Legwand on a game by game basis. Larsson can also slide into the L4 center role if Legwand fails to perform up to high standards versus Ottawa, Tampa and Columbus. I just don't see Legwand taking the elevator to press row without a fight. Personally, I like the grit, knowledge base, skill and experience that Legwand brings to the Sabres lineup. He still can skate and isn't afraid to mix it up. He wins draws and protects the puck. That's why Larsson is the odd man out, IMO.
Zach Bogosian wasn't on the ice on Tuesday. He still has two days left to recover from his lower body injury before the season opener versus Ottawa on Thursday night. Will Bogosian be able to suit up or will he be sent to the injured reserve list for the next week? That remains to be seen. However, Terry Murray rolled the following D pairs in practice.
Gorges-Ristolainen
Weber-Franson
McCabe-Pysyk
Donovan-Colaiacovo
Bylsma and Murray will have to monitor the Bogosian injury further in the next two days to see if #47 will be ready to play. In the event that he is sent to the IR, Murray can insert Carlo Colaiocovo into the lineup.
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