Ryan O’Reilly (90) has been an alternate captain. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Ryan O’Reilly hasn’t thought about Sabres’ captaincy

BUFFALO – Center Ryan O’Reilly, the Sabres’ most versatile presence on the ice and their most accountable voice off it, certainly makes a fine candidate for the Sabres’ vacant captaincy.

Coach Phil Housley said Thursday he’s in no hurry to name a captain, meaning the Sabres might not have someone wearing the ‘C’ permanently for a few weeks or even later.

O’Reilly, 26, said he hasn’t thought about the captaincy. Still, he said receiving it “would be an honor.”

“You look at the guys who have worn it in the past in this organization, its something very special,” O’Reilly said this morning following the first session of training camp inside HarborCenter. “With a letter or not, the stuff that needed to change I think has and that’s what we want.”

O’Reilly has been an alternate captain since arriving two years ago. The Sabres didn’t re-sign veteran winger Brian Gionta, their captain the last three seasons.

Update: Housley said forwards Alexander Nylander (lower body) and Sean Malone (undisclosed), who missed today’s session, are week-to-week.

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