BUFFALO – In the near future, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and winger Zach Benson, both of whom were injured prior to the Olympic break, could start practicing again, coach Lindy Ruff said.
Ruff said Luukkonen, whose lower-body injury forced him to miss the Milano Cortina Games, skated on his own Wednesday before the Sabres’ first post-break practice.
“He’s within days of joining us,” Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.
Meanwhile, Ruff said Benson was to undergo another evaluation Wednesday that will determine if he can practice Thursday.
In other injury news, Ruff said winger Jordan Greenway, who has battled pain after undergoing two hernia surgeries, has started “a different type of treatment.” Greenway recently meeting with the doctor.
“He’ll be out a period of time,” he said. “And if that works, he can get back. I really won’t put any time frame on it right now.”
Greenway did not practice Wednesday.
Some other injury updates are below:
– Center Josh Norris (upper body) and forward Josh Dunne (mid-body) both practiced Wednesday in a non-contact role. Dunne hadn’t skated with the team since his last outing Jan. 12.
If Wednesday’s session went well for them, Ruff believes they can start practicing in a contact role.
– Center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, is still under protocol and will be evaluated again in early March.
“That should be where he’s able to progress or we’ve got to keep him where he’s at,” Ruff said. “He’s been skating but when you’re dealing with a blood clot, there’s protocol you’ve got to follow.”
– Winger Justin Danforth, who broke his kneecap Oct. 15, and defenseman Conor Timmins, who broke his leg Dec. 18, are skating again.