BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson practiced Wednesday and could play in Thursday’s season opener in Columbus. Meanwhile, newcomer Olen Zellweger missed the session and won’t face the Blue Jackets, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
With only six defensemen – Samuelsson is on injured reserve, while Zellweger is on the 23-man roster despite having recently suffered a concussion – Ruff said the Sabres could recall another one before Thursday’s contest.
Samuelsson hadn’t practiced since suffering a lower-body injury blocking a shot Sept. 22 in a 5-1 preseason win over Columbus. Later in the period, Zellweger left the game.
Samuelsson said his injury is “nothing major.”
“Mostly pain tolerance, some swelling needed to go to fit the foot in the skate,” he said in KeyBank Center said.
Ruff said Zellweger, who did not practice Wednesday, could play in Saturday’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.
In other injury news, Ruff said goalie Alex Lyon, who appeared to injure his left shoulder in last Thursday’s 3-2 preseason loss to the Detroit Red Wings, is “feeling good.”
“It’ll be a matter of days before he’s back at it,” he said.