BUFFALO – Wait a second, center Sam Carrick might be available to Sabres in their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens after all.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said today that Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games after injuring his left arm in a fight March 31, plans to see team doctors today. If everything goes well, he could join his teammates for Tuesday’s practice.
“Which is great news,” Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule.”
On Sunday, Ruff said Carrick wouldn’t be available in the second-round series.
“He’s further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday,” he said.
Carrick, a key contributor following his arrival before the trade deadline, quickly acclimated to his new team, scoring five goals and six points in 13 games while pivoting the fourth line.
In other news, Ruff said forward Justin Danforth, who hasn’t played since breaking his kneecap Oct. 15, is “doing good.”
“I don’t know what period of time,” Ruff said. “I’m going to say I don’t believe so (available for the playoffs), but I wouldn’t rule that out.”
Ruff also reiterated rookie center Noah Ostlund, who suffered a lower-body injury in last Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, won’t be available against Montreal.
–
The NHL today announced Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is one of three finalists for Masterton Trophy for his dedication to hockey.
Dahlin, 26, revealed before the season his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, suffered heart failure during the summer and spent several weeks on life support before undergoing a heart transplant.
She later posted on Instagram she had lost their unborn child.
Earlier this season, Dahlin visited Matovac a few times in their native Sweden, including in November, when he took a leave of absence from the Sabres.
After months of recovery and rehab, she joined Dahlin in Buffalo last month.
Dahlin, one of the NHL’s elite defensemen, led the Sabres to their first playoff appearance since 2011.
Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog and Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews are the other finalists.