BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster again this afternoon, sending wing prospects Jack Quinn and Brett Murray to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres now have 27 players – 16 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies – left in camp.
Quinn, the eighth overall pick last season, played three preseason games, compiling one assist and two shootout goals. Following two shaky outings, Quinn enjoyed a strong night in Tuesday’s 5-4 road shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“There was more detail in his game, more awareness in his game from a defensive standpoint than there was maybe in game one,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom call following the game. “And he played with another level of maturity that he didn’t (earlier).”
Murray, who played his first two NHL games late last season, scored one goal in three exhibition contests.
In Rochester, Quinn, 20, and Murray, 23, will likely play on the first or second line.
In other news, rookie winger J-J Peterka did not practice today inside KeyBank Center because of a lower-body injury Granato characterized as “basically a bruise.”
Meanwhile, Granato said defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and winger Victor Olofsson did not practice today for soft tissue maintenance. They both played Monday and Tuesday.
Granato said Dahlin and Olofsson likely won’t practice Friday because he doesn’t want them to aggravate anything in a high-tempo session.
The Sabres close their six-game preseason schedule Saturday afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres this afternoon assigned goalie Aaron Dell and defenseman Jimmy Schuldt to the Amerks after they cleared waivers.
Unless the Sabres claim a goalie on waivers or make a trade, Dell’s demotion means Dustin Tokarski will begin the season as Craig Anderson’s backup.
Early in camp, Granato said if the season started tomorrow, Anderson and Dell “would be one and two.”
But having watched Tokarski, 32, play 13 times last season, Granato wasn’t surprised he earned a roster spot.
“He’s ultra competitive,” Granato said. “Getting to know him last year, I had a hunch he would build on last year and taking that experience and finding another level, and I think he’s done all of that. And so he’s earned the right to be here.
“Everything matters to him. He competes every moment. So I’m happy for him. He’s done a nice job.”
