BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Matt Savoie subbed for injured winger Alex Tuch during Thursday’s practice, skating alongside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
So, could Savoie, 19, make his NHL debut tonight against the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center?
Coach Don Granato said the Sabres are “leaning toward using” the youngster this weekend. They also play a road game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Before the Sabres decide if Savoie plays, they need to see how other players feel.
Tuch, who has missed the last two practices, is day to day with an upper-body injury, according to the Sabres. They’re hopeful he can face the Wild. He has scored three goals in the last two games.
Meanwhile, center Dylan Cozens, who has missed the last two games, practiced in a non-contact role again wearing a full shield to protect what appears to be a broken nose.
Cozens said Wednesday he wants to play this weekend.
In other injury news, goalie Eric Comrie and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, both of whom recently suffered lower-body injuries, returned to practice Thursday.
“It’s nice to be getting healthy,” Granato said. “Samuelsson looked good today. Cozens looked really good today.”
Samuelsson must sit out a week after being placed on injured reserved last Saturday.
Granato said Comrie will take “a little while” to be ready for game action.
“But to have him back with us is, obviously, a really good sign as well,” he said.
