Still without forwards Jeff Skinner, Zemgus Girgensons, and Jordan Greenway, the Buffalo Sabres have dealt with numerous injuries to their forward core this season, but should be welcoming an up-and-coming player back to the lineup tonight. In an article from Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, there is every expectation that Jack Quinn will draw back into the active roster, and make his season debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dealing with an Achilles injury suffered in late June, Quinn has been prohibited from building upon his rookie season last year, in which he scored 14 goals and 37 points in 75 games, finishing 12th in Calder Trophy voting. Seeing their offensive output drop from third in the league last year, to only 26th in the league this season, the Sabres will only benefit from reintroducing Quinn back into the lineup.
After just failing to reach the playoffs last season, Buffalo currently holds a 13-6-3 record through 32 games this year, sitting 5th in the Atlantic Division and five points behind the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. With Quinn undoubtedly needing a few games to get back to full speed, the Sabres are hoping increased health in the organization will help change the trajectory of their season.
Other snapshots:
- Staying in Buffalo, Lysowski mentions in the same article that the team has loaned top prospect, Jiri Kulich, to Team Czechia for the 2023 World Junior Championships. Kulich was originally drafted 28th overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft and has transitioned rather well to North American hockey. Playing for the Rochester Americans this season, Kulich has 16 goals and 22 points in 22 games, leading the team in scoring.
- According to Derek Lee of The Sporting Tribune, the Anaheim Ducks have sent defenseman Robert Hagg down to their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. Originally recalled on December 10th, Hagg served as a healthy scratch for all five of the team’s games in the meantime, failing to suit up once for Anaheim this season.
Asinine that Granato won’t play Peterka, Cozens, and Quinn together because he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on Quinn returning. How is putting him in the best position to succeed misconstrued as putting too much pressure on him?
From Lysowski’s article:
“Sabres head coach Don Granato acknowledged to reporters that he was tempted to reunite Quinn with Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka. The trio was on the ice for 18 goals at 5-on-5 last season, according to Natural Stat Trick. But Granato didn’t want to place so much pressure on Quinn in his return from a serious injury.”
Loved Granato in the beginning, not so much these days. Need a coach with an edge and with superior x’s and o’s. Donny has no edge to him. Too much of a coddler.
YEAH! HOW DARE HE KEEP A TOP PROSPECT A BIT SHELTERED TO ENSURE HE MAKES A FULL RECOVERY!!! CLOWN!!!
Wilf is running a parody account.
Hey let’s not say things we can’t take back…I was hoping my “all caps” would come across as sarcastic agreement! I suppose I’ve failed at another attempt at humor! Back to my dark corner in the basement haha!