The Buffalo Sabres have already experienced some pain this season. Zemgus Girgensons, who was injured a few days ago after taking an awkward fall at practice, underwent successful hamstring surgery today and will be out for the next six months. That effectively ends Girgensons’ season before it even begins, and leaves the Sabres with a decision to make on who will fill his roster spot.
Just today, the Sabres added three players to their training camp roster and have other candidates like Riley Sheahan already competing for an NHL contract. With Girgensons out, an extra spot opened in the bottom-six, especially for someone that has experience on the penalty kill. Though Girgensons also hasn’t regularly played center the last few years, perhaps someone with the ability to play the middle of the ice would also have a leg up.
It’s brutal news for a player that just signed a new three-year deal in October, locking him in at a reasonable $2.2MM cap hit through 2022-23. Girgensons doesn’t offer much offensively—though he did score 12 goals in 69 games last season—but is a strong defensive presence and brings some more size and physicality to the Sabres lineup.
Sheahan seems a good bet for a deal now unless he has disappointed in camp. It also could potentially open a spot for younger players like Rasmus Asplund, though at today’s practice he was on a line with Casey Mittelstadt and Arttu Ruotsalainen, two other players who seem destined for the taxi squad to start the year given their waiver-exempt status.
Trevor Lewis?
@MoneyBallJustWorks – Which would be more preferable in Trevor’s eyes: a PTO in WPG, or whatever is offered to him in BUF? Not to mention, being in the 2021 Division-O-Death or the Canadian Division with a more realistic chance at the playoffs? (Sorry, just not down with the “sponsored” divisions)
Dylan Cozens?
@JANUS – What about him? Other than he’s in BUF with Jack Quinn ready to start camp? They flew in late last night after the WJC concluded (see Gavin’s article from earlier today). Are you suggesting he replace Girgensons?
No I’m suggesting he replace Trump. Of course I’m suggesting he replace ZG. Might as well give him 6 games or whatever the threshold this year is to see if he can stick.
@JANUS – Well, he was a Master Blaster at the WJC and it would be almost criminal to not have him make the team. That said, Kevyn Adams & Ralph should think long and hard about that possibility. Agreed?
I understand what you’re saying but 6 games hardly warrants exhaustive deliberations no? Give the kid a shot. It’s not like they’re going anywhere in that group of death that is the MassMutual East Division lol Eichel may want out after all! All the hoopla of bringing in Hall for what is basically 70% of a season which mind you very well may be less than that if he is moved before the trade deadline has fizzled out quite quickly don’t you think?
@JANUS – You know, that paints a mental picture of the usual pre-season optimism, only to have it blown up by the trade deadline, if not earlier! (We know it’s inevitable, so here we go with the self-fulfilling prophecy…) Get Dom and Marty Biron on the phone w/a three-way convo and beg them out of retirement, with the promise of adding Rob Ray, May-Day, and The French Connection to bolster the roster!. All in the epic Mass-MED division. We tried for Patty LaFontaine, but he politely gave us the finger! :)
What is going on at Sabres training camp? Guys crashing into everything and injuries everywhere!
Yes but I’m trying to stay optimistic. The guys going down of consequence are back already and seems like the guys out for the year are lower-end guy’s.
Fingers are crossed Dylan cozens comes in and dominates. Percentage is not huge for that but I’ve seen it happen before. Let’s go Sabres !!!