The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans.
To create a roster spot, the Sabres, who open their season tonight in Columbus, placed defenseman Olen Zellweger on injured reserve. Zellweger suffered a concussion last week.
The Sabres summoned Gilbert for insurance because they lost three of their top defensemen to injury – Zellweger, Mattias Samuelsson and Conor Timmins – during the preseason.
Only six defensemen, including Samuelsson, who’s recovering from a lower-body injury, practiced Thursday.
Samuelsson, who’s on injured reserve, could play tonight against the Blue Jackets.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Thursday that Zellweger could return for Saturday’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gilbert, 29, struggled during the preseason before clearing waivers and being assigned to the Amerks.