TORONTO – Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson’s lower-body injury won’t sideline him long-term, Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato said.
“We got good news … but he’s going to be out for a little bit,” Granato said prior to tonight’s game against the Maple Leafs in Scotiabank Arena.
Samuelsson, 23, has been placed on injured reserved, meaning he will miss at least a week. He left Friday’s 5-1 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
With a roster spot available, the Sabres have recalled defenseman Ryan Johnson, 22, from the Rochester Americans. Johnson will make his NHL debut tonight.
Johnson, the 31st overall pick in 2019, impressed the Sabres during a long look in the preseason.
“He had a really good camp, very consistent in camp, played a lot of games in the preseason and he’s done very well down there,” Granato said. “So that’s continued.”
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Johnson has compiled four assists in nine games with the Amerks.
“Even the day we sent him down we were thinking about … we look forward to his opportunity,” Granato said.
Update: Center Dylan Cozens is out tonight with an undisclosed injury. Rookie wingers Brandon Biro and Lukas Rousek are also scratched. Center Tyson Jost and winger Victor Olofsson will move back in.
