BUFFALO – In a surprising move, the Sabres dipped into junior hockey Friday and recalled Brendan Guhle, their top defense prospect, on an emergency basis to replace the injured Josh Gorges.
Guhle, 19, almost made the Sabres out of training camp the last two years. The 2015 second-round pick will likely make his NHL debut this afternoon against the Boston Bruins inside KeyBank Center.
Gorges blocked a shot in Thursday’s 4-3 win against the New York Rangers, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. Gorges tested the injury early in Friday’s practice inside HarborCenter but left the ice.
He had an X-ray after the game and underwent more testing Friday, Bylsma said.
The Sabres’ defense corps, which stayed remarkably healthy last season, has quickly become depleted. Gorges, Zach Bogosian (knee) and Dmitry Kulikov (back) – three of the team’s regulars – are all injured.
Guhle has five goals and seven points in 19 games this season split between the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders and Prince George Cougars. He played six AHL games with the Rochester Americans last season, his only pro experience.
In other news, Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, who missed Thursday’s game with a sore hip, will start this afternoon, Bylsma said.
The Sabres returned goalie Linus Ullmark to the Amerks on Friday.
Lehner was hurt early in Tuesday’s 5-4 win in Ottawa.