BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris, who suffered an upper-body injury opening night, is progressing and has started skating again, coach Lindy Ruff said.
“I’ve talked to him, he said he’s feeling better,” Ruff said following Wednesday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “He’s not in that feeling great category yet, but he’s feeling better. And (we) really just want to keep progressing him with no setbacks.”
Ruff said has he no timetable for Norris’ return. He acknowledged last month that Elliotte Friedman’s report of eight weeks on Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast is close to the recovery period Norris needs.
Norris, who has a history of injuries, has played just four games since the Sabres acquired him March 7.
In other injury news, center Tyson Kozak, who has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, practiced Wednesday and could play Thursday against the St. Louis Blues, the Sabres’ final home contest before their four-game road trip.
“(He) had a good day, Ruff said. “We’ll see what he looks like tomorrow. I wouldn’t rule him out.”
Ruff also said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson missed Wednesday’s practice to give him “a little chance to recoup.” He expects him to play against St. Louis.
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen said following the session he will be starting Thursday, his third nod this season.
Meanwhile, Ruff, whose Sabres are down five forwards to injury and illness, revamped his lines during Wednesday’s practice.
The new trios are below.
– Alex Tuch, Ryan McLeod and Tage Thompson
– Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund and Jack Quinn
– Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs and Josh Doan
– Beck Malenstyn, Kozak and Josh Dunne