Ville Leino hasn’t played yet this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Leino and Ennis should return for Sabres on Saturday

BUFFALO – It’s “highly likely” Sabres winger Ville Leino, sidelined by a hip injury since Jan. 18, will make his season debut Saturday at home against Ottawa, interim coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.

“He’s looking good,” Rolston said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Today we did a lot of defensive things and some more battle, and he’s doing well, where we wanted him. Tomorrow will be another test for him. But we’re putting him in every situation we can right now to make that happen.”

Leino skated today on the left wing with rookie Mikhail Grigorenko and Steve Ott, his place before going down two days before the season opener.

“It’s the best I felt all year, so (I’m) really excited,” Leino said.

Meanwhile, center Tyler Ennis practiced in a non-contact role today, his first session since Wayne Simmonds crunched him into the boards from behind Sunday in Philadelphia.

Rolston said it’s a “strong possibility” Ennis, who was “dinged up,” can return Saturday.

“I feel good,” Ennis said. “I had a good skate today.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *