TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled forward Josh Dunne from the Rochester Americans prior to their game against the Maple Leafs.
Dunne, 25, began the season with the Sabres, going pointless in two games. After being assigned to AHL earlier this week, he registered one goal in two contests.
Buffalo needed another forward because Tyson Kozak suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 5-3 home win over the Maple Leafs. Kozak, 22, played just three shifts before leaving the contest.
The Sabres have placed Kozak, who has scored two goals in seven games this season, on injured reserved.
Kozak has a history of injuries, having never played more than 55 games in a pro season.
Stay tuned for updates. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is scheduled to address the media at 3:30 p.m.
Update: Ruff said this afternoon Kozak is “going to miss some time.”
“Still don’t know the exact number,” he said. “At least a week, maybe more.”
Kozak’s play impressed Ruff. The youngster began Friday with a two-game goal streak.
“Skating well, got in on the scoring,” he said. “I thought his inside play, his penalty killing (was good). I really thought speed-wise, it was evident, and his physicality was good in the game.”
Ruff said Dunne’s physicality fits well on the fourth line.
“I like what he did for us last year,” he said. “He came into camp, he even skated better than the previous camp, so he’s done a lot of good things.”
Ruff also said defenseman Jacob Bryson, who suffered a concussion last Saturday, won’t play this afternoon.