BUFFALO – When the Sabres waived Mason Geertsen, coach Lindy Ruff, who helped bring the tough guy back to the NHL following a four-year absence, told him he’s still a part of the team.
It’s that right now, carrying an enforcer is a luxury the Sabres, who must activate winger Jason Zucker from injured reserve before tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, can’t longer afford.
“We’ve got a long list of players that are sitting on the sidelines that are starting to come back,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.
So on Wednesday, the Sabres placed Geertsen, who played just five of the first 20 games, on waivers. If he clears this afternoon, he will likely be assigned to the Rochester Americans.
Don’t be surprised if he returns later in the season.
“I’ll guarantee he’s still a part of this,” Ruff said.
Ruff, who coached Geertsen, 30, with the New Jersey Devils, values the toughness the 6-foot-4, 231-pound winger gave the Sabres in his limited action.
Despite averaging just 4 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time per outing and sitting out 15 games as a healthy scratch, Ruff saw what his presence can do.
“We know what he can bring,” he said. “Calming influence. “There was a couple games where there was no intimidation, I think, he was riding side saddle.”
Zucker, 33, is expected to play tonight after missing the last eight games battling illness. He skated at left wing this morning alongside center Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn.
In other lineup news, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen took shots this morning in the net usually reserved for the starting goalie.
Luukkonen hasn’t started since Nov. 6 and last played Nov. 13.
After battling two injuries earlier this season, he has often struggled, compiling a 1-2-1 record, a 3.02 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage in four games.
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The Amerks announced this morning that coach Mike Leone has been given a leave of absence this weekend to tend to a personal matter.
In his absence tonight at home against the Bridgeport Islanders and Saturday on the road versus the Utica Comets, assistants Nathan Paetsch and Vinny Prospal will share the coaching duties.
The Amerks expect Leone to return to the team next week.