The Buffalo Sabres practiced on Thursday in preparation for their seventh and final exhibition game in Ottawa on Friday night.
Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma gave a post-practice update on his waking wounded veteran players.
In no particular order, here's the latest on the injuries that have been sabotaging the Sabres:
Ryan O'Reilly- Bylsma said that ROR suffered back and midsection spasm in the first period of Wednesday night's shootout loss to Carolina. ROR played half the first period before retiring to the locker room as a precautionary move.
"Ryan O’Reilly mostly left the game for precautionary reasons but had a spasm in his back and midsection, is still obviously off the ice with that," Byslma said.
"Day-to-day, precautionary really at this point in time. He will not be playing tomorrow in the game, then we’ll have the 8th off, so he should have a few good days here of rest, treatment and rehab.
Kyle Okposo- Bylsma called the injury a knee bruise and said that it is improving. Okposo took a slap shot off his left knee during a power play drill at the end of Monday's practice.
Bylsma said that Okposo has been making progress every day this week since the injury first occurred.
Zach Bogosian- suffered a groin strain last week. Bylsma said that Bogosian skated on his own on Thursday.
Dmitry Kulikov- suffered an injury last Friday night when he was body checked into the open door gate inside the Toronto Maple Leafs bench. Bylsma called the injury a "butt bruise".
Kulikov may skate on Friday.
"I don't like talking about the bruised butt that he has", Bylsma quipped.
Thanks, Buffalo News
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Bylsma was asked to comment on the status of the ongoing negotiations between Rasmus Ristolainen and Tim Murray.
Will Ristolainen sign his long term contract extension between now and the puck drop on the season opener on October 13?
"I think it will get done".
Ristolainen is a high profile unsigned restricted free agent in the same situation as Johnny gaudreau, Hampus Lindholm, Jacob Trouba and Richard Rakell
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