BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly is day-to-day after leaving Wednesday’s 3-2 preseason loss early as a precaution because of a spasm in his back and midsection, coach Dan Bylsma said.
O’Reilly, who was playing his first preseason game following the World Cup of Hockey, didn’t practice this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. He’s out of Friday’s exhibition finale in Ottawa, Bylsma said.
The Sabres, of course, are dealing with a slew of injuries exactly one week before the season opener.
Some other updates from Bylsma:
– Winger Kyle Okposo (bruised knee) has “gotten better each day.”
– Defenseman Zach Bogosian (groin) skated alone this morning.
– Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (bruised tailbone) could start rehab skating Friday.
“I don’t like talking about the bruised butt he has,” Bylsma said.
– Winger Nick Baptiste is still dealing with a back issue.
– Forward Dan Catenacci hurt his hamstring in Wednesday’s shootout loss to Carolina.
– Defenseman Tyson Strachan (ankle) will skate Friday.
If the Sabres were healthy, then Bylsma said he would probably know his final roster.
“If we could nail that down for sure, then I probably could tell you 13 (forwards) and seven (defensemen),” he said.
As of now, the Sabres still have some intriguing rookies in camp, including wingers Alexander Nylander, 18, and Hudson Fasching, 21, and defenseman Brendan Guhle, 19.
“I think it’s been getting better every game I’ve been playing,” said Nylander, the eighth overall pick in June. “I feel more comfortable, getting more natural with the systems.”
The Sabres sent forwards Justin Bailey, Jean Dupuy and Cole Schneider and defensemen Brady Austin and Erik Burgdoerfer and goalie Linus Ullmark to the AHL Rochester Americans today.