High Eichel Gain https://t.co/zogfA40a14 pic.twitter.com/H4UOII5iha
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 11, 2016
The reports have been confirmed.
Buffalo Sabres super sophomore Jack Eichel is skating. In fact, Eichel has skated a total of 70 minutes in the past 24 hours. Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma just met with media following the game day skate in advance of Sabres-Devils tonight.
Bylsma confirmed that Eichel skated for 45 minutes today and for 25 minutes yesterday. Eichel did not wear equipment during his on ice work out.
Bylsma did not report any setbacks or issues.
Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain on October 12 which has forced him to miss the first 13 games of the season. Eichel will not be playing any time soon, however, he is making positive progress in his recovery from the most dastardly injury a hockey player can suffer.
Eichel visited team doctors Wednesday for an assessment to see if it would be okay to progress his rehabilitation to the next level. The team orthopaedic expert obviously gave Eichel his blessings to take his rehab to the next level. Eichel presumably will continue to skate on his own this weekend. Perhaps if he remains pain free he will be able to join his teammates in practices next week. Sabres fans will keep their fingers and toes crossed in hopes that Jack Eichel can return and make his season a debut on or around Black Friday when the Sabres visit the Washington Capitals.
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Speaking of injured Sabres, Justin Falk was called up from Rochester and will play in place of Dmitry Kulikov, who didn't practice Thursday. Kulikov is questionable for Saturday night in New Jersey.
Falk is 6'5" and 220 lbs.and reminds me a lot of Cody Franson: big, not fleet of foot, and not very physical.
Josh Gorges did not take the skate inn Friday morning.
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Welcome back Ryan O'Reilly. ROR will play tonight after sitting our shootout loss to Ottawa on Wednesday night.
ROR is back pic.twitter.com/YpNOOIYyJl
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 11, 2016
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The Sabres are ranked #29 in the NHL in goals scored. They have potted just 26 goals in 13 games. They have scored 8 PPGs.
Buffalo have scored just six goals in five games on home ice. It's unacceptable for a team's offense to go into sleep mode in front of the home fans.
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Take a look at the NHL standings and you will see some hurting clubs.
NHL GMs will meet in Toronto next week. I've recognized several teams scouting the team in the 716 area code lately.
Vancouver Canucks, NY Islanders and Calgary Flames are all struggling mightily. All three teams have been scouting Buffalo Sabres.
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) November 11, 2016
Canucks, Islanders and Flames cannot get their respective acts together.
Earlier this week, the Canucks demoted young power forward Jake Virtanen to AHL Utica Comets. Virtanen will play for teh Comets tonight and tonorrow night, then will be recalled up to Vancouver on Sunday.
Why demote the kid for two games?
I hear that the Canucks want Virtanen to play 20+ minutes TOI in all situations.
I also hear that sevearl NHL teams will be in attendance to scout Virtanen, who has been at odds with Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins over his usage and ice time with teh big club.
The Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks are also in window shoppung mode.