BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin returned to practice this morning following COVID-19-related absences.
Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4, is wearing an N95 mask and has been skating around the KeyBank Center ice talking to some players. Assistant coach Steve Smith is still leading the session.
Update: Krueger left the ice after about 15 minutes.
Post-practice update: Krueger said he will see how he feels Monday morning before deciding if he will be behind the bench later in the day against the New York Islanders.
“I’m definitely feeling better,” Krueger said on a Zoom call following practice. “I had moderately severe symptoms. I never did end up having a fever, but I did end up with a lot of aches and sleeping and fatigue for more than a week. Definitely time to realize how lethal this COVID is. Everyone knows I try to keep myself in good shape and manage that part of my life. (I’m) just really pleased in the last few days to get back to feeling more normal. I’ll take it a day at a time.
“Today was an excellent day to spend with the staff and with the players. I went soft on the ice, but otherwise, really trying to go through a regular day.”
Meanwhile, Dahlin said he tested “negative from the beginning.”
“I’ve been on the protocol (list), just trying to stay away and keep the things I have to do and get ready for the game tomorrow,” Dahlin said. “That’s all I can do.”
Dahlin was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list six days ago. The Swede is the second Sabres player to return from the absences list. Winger Taylor Hall practiced Saturday.
Seven Sabres are still on the absences list. The Sabres host the New York Islanders on Monday.
