BUFFALO – Concerns over Kyle Okposo’s second concussion in less than a year are heightened since the Sabres winger was hospitalized in intensive care after suffering one last March.
The Sabres announced this morning a concussion Okposo suffered when he collided with Senators winger Bobby Ryan will sideline him indefinitely.
“From my personal knowledge, just seeing him last night, I thought he was in a good place,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “Obviously, there’s things that can happen down the road. But from my perspective, I thought he was in good spirits, so that’s a good sign.”
The play early the second period of Thursday’s 4-3 shootout win in Ottawa, Housley said, was “unfortunate.”
“They just ran into each other,” he said. “I thought it was more of an upper-body (injury). Definitely was diagnosed with a concussion.”
Housley said the Sabres haven’t thought about shutting Okposo down for the season.
With Okposo out, the Sabres might have to recall a player from the Rochester Americans. Housley said that will be discussed later today.
Update: The Sabres have recalled winger Justin Bailey.
Bailey, 21, has compiled six goals and 10 points in 27 contests with the Rochester Americans this season. After struggling to recover from an ankle injury, the Williamsville native caught fire recently, scoring four goals in the last five contests.
Bailey scored two goals and three points in seven appearances with the Sabres earlier this season.
The Sabres have five forwards on their injury list, including winger Seth Griffith and center Evan Rodrigues, who are both day-to-day with upper-body injuries.
Housley said Griffith and Rodrigues are improving. Rodrigues, who hasn’t practiced with the team, is unlikely for Saturday afternoon’s home tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights.
