BUFFALO – The upper-body injury Sabres center Josh Norris suffered in Thursday’s season-opening loss could sideline him well into November, coach Lindy Ruff said.
While Ruff did not offer a firm time frame, he acknowledged prior to Monday afternoon’s game against the Colorado Avalanche that Elliotte Friedman’s report of eight weeks on Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast is “probably pretty close.”
Ruff said Norris, who was injured taking a faceoff late in the 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers, is getting a second opinion.
He doesn’t believe Norris needs surgery.
Norris, 26, has a history of injuries, having battled shoulder problems for years with the Ottawa Senators. After arriving in Buffalo last season, he played just three games before an oblique injury ended his season.
Ruff has said Norris’ latest injury isn’t related to anything he has experienced in the past.
Meanwhile, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson missed Monday’s game with an injury that isn’t related to the one that sidelined him in training camp, according to the Sabres.
Ruff Samuelsson’s day to day and could play in Wednesday’s home game against the Ottawa Senators.
Defenseman Ryan Johnson played after sitting out Saturday’s 3-1 road loss to the Boston Bruins.
The Sabres made one other lineup change, inserting forward Josh Dunne for Mason Geertsen.
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Ruff said he expects winger Zach Benson, who was hospitalized last Wednesday after suffering a cut in practice, to return Tuesday.
Benson skated over the weekend after being discharged. Ruff believes Benson could play Wednesday.
do we even care at this point.