BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich will miss “significant time” because of a blood clot issue, coach Lindy Ruff said, the latest blow for a team decimated by injuries and illness.
“I’m not going to go any further into details, but pretty serious,” Ruff said following Monday’s morning’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.
Kulich, 21, has missed the last three games. The clot was discovered when he underwent additional testing after fluid built up in his ears.
Ruff believes the Czech, who has scored three goals and five points in 12 games, will play again this season.
“I’m gonna say yes,” he said. “That really depends on how things go here in the next three, four weeks.”
Right now, five forwards are sidelined, including winger Jason Zucker, who has missed the last three games with the flu. The veteran did not accompany the Sabres for the final three games of their road trip, which continues Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth
“Real severe viral, flu-like thing that he hasn’t been able to shake,” Ruff said. “Undergone a lot of tests and still isn’t doing that well.”
The Sabres are also missing captain Rasmus Dahlin, who on Friday took a temporary leave of absence to return to Sweden.
In other injury news, Ruff said winger Zach Benson, who has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, isn’t ready to practice. Ruff said the Sabres would if Benson would accompany them on their trip.
The Sabres are also missing winger Justin Danforth (lower body) and center Josh Norris (upper body).
Meanwhile, Ruff said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson missed Monday’s practice for maintenance.
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Dahlin on Monday practiced with Frolunda HC, his former Swedish Hockey League team.
“He said he was taking his stuff and was gonna skate, and when he gets back, he’s ready to go,” Ruff said. “So I think that’s the competitor in him.”
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Ruff said rookie goalie Colten Ellis will play one of the last three games of the road trip.
Ellis, 25, made his only appearance this season on Oct. 22, making 29 saves in his NHL debut, a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.