BUFFALO – Six weeks into the season, Jiri Kulich hasn’t found any rhythm. Following nearly a year on the sideline recovering from a blood clot, the Sabres forward has suffered some early setbacks, most notably a concussion that forced him to miss five games.
In two appearances since returning, Kulich has struggled a bit, so it appears he will be a healthy scratch for Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center.
The Czech skated as an extra during this morning’s practice. Ryan McLeod, a healthy scratch the last two games, would replace him.
Ruff said Kulich, 22, is “still searching for his game.”
“I believe he still has it,” Ruff said. “It just might take time.”
Kulich, a healthy scratch once earlier this season, also missed one game when he felt sick and returned to Buffalo to undergo testing.
“You hope that you can get back to your game after a year off,” Ruff said. “I think there’s two factors now: he came back, he got hurt, sat out some games. Then he got hurt again.”
The youngster has compiled one goal and three points this season.
Ruff wants Kulich to showcase a “B game.”
“Whether it’s hanging onto pucks a little more, getting above the puck, playing well away from the puck that sometimes can create extra chances,” he said. “And then when you have it, don’t complicate things, but what’s the next play you can make?”
McLeod center Jason Zucker and Josh Doan during today’s session.
Check back later for more updates.