BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, who left Friday’s preseason finale with a lower-body injury, is day-to-day, coach Phil Housley said this afternoon.
So, could Bogosian play in Thursday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens? Housley said the veteran’s injury isn’t as serious as the Sabres first believed.
“He seems to be in a good spot, so we’ll know more tomorrow,” Housley said inside HarborCenter.
That’s good news for the Sabres, who are already missing defenseman Jake McCabe, who’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
“Jake’s making great progress,” Housley said,
The Sabres have also been careful with defenseman Marco Scandella, who missed all six exhibition contests following offseason hip surgery.
Still, Scandella has been practicing.
“Marco’s improving, made great strides,” Housley said. “That was a tough practice today. He pushed it to the limit.”
All the defenders, Housley noted, are “in a good spot.”
In other news, winger Nick Deslauriers and defenseman Taylor Fedun, who were sent to the AHL Saturday, cleared waivers today, meaning they can report to the Rochester Americans. The Sabres also sent winger Justin Bailey to the Amerks with them.
“Justin had a terrific training camp,” Housley said. “With our roster size, we have to make difficult decisions. I think he’s got to go back with the same attitude he has in Rochester, to be a leader down there. He’s close. D-Low and Feds had great training camps. Sometimes you’re in positions to make difficult decisions.”
He added: “Selfishly, I’d like to see them stay with our organization.”