As expected, the Sabres announced today that they have activated center Ryan McLeod off injured reserve. To make room for him on the active roster, center Tyson Kozak has been assigned back to AHL Rochester.
McLeod’s activation should come as little surprise as he was a full participant in practice on Friday with the team indicating at that time that he was expected to play against his former team today and line up on the second line. He winds up missing just three games with a nagging upper-body injury.
The 25-year-old was acquired from Edmonton in the summer along with prospect Tyler Tullio in exchange for prospect Matthew Savoie. He has fit in well with the Sabres and enters play today tied for sixth in team scoring with blueliner Owen Power. McLeod has 10 goals and 15 assists in 45 games this season while winning over 52% of his draws, the best rate of Buffalo’s full-time middlemen. He carries a $2.1MM cap charge this season and will be a restricted free agent with salary arbitration rights this summer.
As for Kozak, the 22-year-old has gotten into nine games with the Sabres this season during his three recalls, his first taste of NHL action. He has just one point – a goal – in those outings while blocking 14 shots in 10:36 of playing time.
Kozak is in his third professional season and generally hasn’t been particularly productive with the Amerks. He had 10 points in his rookie year and 12 last season. However, he has already matched that mark this season with six goals and six assists in 24 games in Rochester which should help his case as he’s set to become a restricted free agent with his entry-level deal expiring at the end of June.