BUFFALO – Robin Lehner still has no firm timeline for his return to NHL game action. Right now, the Sabres goalie just plans to keep practicing, something he did with his teammates today for the first time since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8.
Still, Lehner knows he should be back soon, and that’s a good feeling for the Swede, who has played only 32 minutes since Feb. 16, when he suffered a season-ending concussion last season with Ottawa.
Just being on the ice with his teammates today inside the First Niagara Center was special.
“It’s really fun,” Lehner said. “When you get injured, I felt it last year for the first time with Ottawa. It was my first injury in my career. It just sucks being away from the guys. I was pretty unlucky to get it again right afterwards, especially I’m not used to being away from the guys. That’s the hard part. You miss being around.”
Lehner said he’s 100 percent and “can pretty much do whatever,” although he still has “a little issue around my right post” that is improving. High ankle sprains are widely considered the worst injury a goalie can suffer.
“It’s going to take a few days to get back in the swing of things,” Lehner said.
At some point soon, Lehner will begin a rehabilitation stint in the AHL.
After Lehner was injured opening night in his debut as the new starter, the Sabres said he would miss six to 10 weeks. Lehner said today he knew then it would probably be closer to 10.
He said he felt like 100 percent around the eighth week but suffered a “little setback.” Thursday will mark 12 weeks since Lehner was injured.
Lehner has been skating on his own and doing off-ice workouts 10 times a week, he said. He even cut off his hair that extended past his shoulders so those workouts would be easier.
“There’s been a mental part to this, too,” Lehner said. “I stuck to it. All the medical staff is really good and pushed me through it.”
Check back later for more on Lehner.
