BUFFALO – Defensemen Jake McCabe and Casey Nelson are both week-to-week with upper-body injuries, the Sabres announced this morning.
Coach Phil Housley said McCabe’s injury, originally pegged as day-to-day, is worse than the Sabres originally thought.
McCabe has missed three games since leaving last Thursday’s 5-4 road loss to the Tampa Bay early.
Nelson, meanwhile, was hurt in Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Housley offered no details on Nelson’s injury.
In other injury news, winger Jason Pominville, out the last two games with an upper-body injury, practiced today.
“I feel good,” Pominville said. “I would’ve liked to be in (Tuesday), but I think it’s just precautionary. It gives me a little more time to get some practices in and feel good.”
Housley also said defenseman Marco Scandella, out the last five games with an upper-body injury, is still day-to-day.
In addition to Pominville, there is other positive injury news. Defenseman Matt Hunwick, sidelined all season by a neck injury, is listed as day-to-day on the Sabres’ injury report.
Hunwick, an offseason acquisition from the Pittsburgh Penguins, practiced this morning beside rookie Rasmus Dahlin inside HarborCenter.
“We’re going to try find a way to get him in at some point,” Housley said of Hunwick. “But right now, he’s just trying to find his way through practices.”
Check back later for a full story on Hunwick.
Housley also said winger Scott Wilson, out since breaking his ankle late in the preseason, is making “tremendous strides” and should start skating soon.
Following a day off Wednesday, the Sabres practiced with a light crew.
Housley said defenseman Zach Bogosian, captain Jack Eichel and goalie Carter Hutton all had maintenance days.
“It’s a situation where practice isn’t really going to help the situation,” Housley said of giving maintenance days.
Ryan Vinz, a HarborCenter employee who once dressed as the Sabres’ backup, subbed in net for Hutton.