BUFFALO – Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s season opener, will be sidelined about three to six weeks, coach Lindy Ruff said.
There is, however, some good news. Ruff said wingers JJ Peterka (concussion) and Zach Benson (lower body) are considered day to day after suffering injuries in Prague, Czechia.
Neither practiced Tuesday in KeyBank Bank Center, the Sabres’ first session since returning from their season-opening trip.
Ruff said Peterka, who was hit in the head by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon early in Saturday’s 3-1 loss, has skated on his own.
“They’re both doing better,” Ruff said. “I know JJ skated as part of the process of bringing him back. We’ll see how he reacts that.”
Peyton Krebs practiced in Peterka’s spot Tuesday alongside top center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.
Meanwhile, defenseman Jacob Bryson subbed for Aube-Kubel, who has been placed on injured reserve, on the fourth line alongside Sam Lafferty and Beck Malenstyn. If the Sabres need another forward, they will likely recall one instead of using Bryson up front.
Aube-Kubel, one of the gritty forwards the Sabres acquired to beef up their fourth line, had meshed nicely with Lafferty and Malenstyn. Early in Friday’s 4-1 loss, only a miraculous save by New Jersey goalie Jacob Markstrom prevented Aube-Kubel from scoring the Sabres’ first goal this season.
The newcomer was wearing a brace on his leg following the game, according to reports.
“Big loss because that line we really like that line,” Ruff said. “That line was great energy, was scoring goals, was the type of line that I think almost any team would embrace when you’re putting a fourth line out that’s physical.
“Malenstyn and both ‘Kue’ were heavy on the body, had some massive hits in the preseason even had massive hits inside those games. So it’s a loss. You deal with it. You got to move on.”