BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris missed Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury he has been battling, coach Lindy Ruff said.
Ruff did not have an update on Norris, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last Friday’s trade deadline.
“He’s just being evaluated by our medical staff today,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.
Norris’ status is unclear for this afternoon’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights. The newcomer scored his first goal with the Sabres in Wednesday’s 7-3 road loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
With Norris injured, the Sabres on Friday recalled rookie center Tyson Kozak, one of their top forward prospects, from the Rochester Americans. Kozak, 22, scored one goal in 11 games with the Sabres earlier this season.
In other news, Ruff said winger JJ Peterka, who missed Wednesday’s game with a lower-body injury, is “feeling a lot better” but won’t play against Vegas. He will, however, accompany the Sabres on their upcoming road trip.
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Ruff on Friday reunited center Ryan McLeod alongside wingers Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway. The trio, which showcased chemistry early in the season, will likely shadow former Sabres center Jack Eichel’s line against the Golden Knights.
“That was a good line for us against top lines,” Ruff said. “The one thing that Ryan can do is he can skate with everybody, and he doesn’t get tired that often inside of a game. But he’s gonna have to skate with an elite skater, for sure.”
Ruff also put Tage Thompson, who has recently been skating at right wing, back at center between Zach Benson and Alex Tuch.
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The Amerks on Friday loaned Sabres forward prospect Tyler Tullio to the Calgary Wranglers, the Flames’ AHL affiliate.
Tullio, 22, has compiled one goal and seven points in 30 games this season. The Sabres acquired him from the Edmonton Oilers last year in the trade that brought McLeod to Buffalo.