The Buffalo Sabres hit the ice in advance of their charter flight to Sunrise, Florida this afternoon.
Captain Brian Gionta practiced for the first time since last Wednesday. It looks good for him to return the action versus the Cats. Gionta has missed the first three games of the season due to his lower body ailment.
Gionta skated on the second line with Evander Kane and Jack Eichel.
Gionta's return will cause a log jam in the forward ranks. There are 13 healthy forwards to play 12 positions.
My guess is that Samson Reinhart will be the healthy scratch when the Sabres visit the Panthers on Thursday night.
In three games played, Reinhart has been average. His play away from the puck has been okay. Not great. Okay. He has one assist in three games. He is averaging 10:37 TOI per game. He has generated just one shot on goal in three games. He has been looking to dish to his linemates instead of shooting.
It would not surprise me if Dan Bylsma scratches Reinhart in Sunrise.
Johan Larsson has been full value and appears to have stolen the third line center roster spot from Reinhart.
Here are the line trios from today's practice:
ROR-Girgensons-Ennis Kane-Eichel-Gionta Moulson-Larsson-McGinn Deslauriers-Legwand-Foligno/*Reinhart
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Great news that Zach Bogosian skated in a non-contact sweater on Wednesday. A good sign for the Sabres who sure could use a thumper on their number one pair right now.
Bogosian has been sidelined for the first three games with an abdominal injury. Dan Bylsma said Tuesday that Bogosian is getting close to returning to the starting lineup.
Here are the D pairs from Wednesday's practice:
Gorges-Ristolainen McCabe-Pysyk Weber-Franson Bogosian-Colaiacovo
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Matt Donovan cleared waivers and will be assigned to the Rochester Amerks.
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The Calgary Flames were dealt a stinging blow on Wednesday morning. Grinding forward Lance Bouma will miss next three months after St. Louis Blues eighteen wheeler Ryan Reaves broke Bouma's fibula with a heavy body check.
Bouma, 25, recorded career-highs in goals (16), assists (18) and points (34), in 2014-15. Bouma landed 264 hots on opponents last season.
Will Flames GM Brad Treliving fill the roster hole created by Bouma's loss internally? Or, will he look outside the Flames for a trade partner?
Treliving could make a play for Boston's Brad Marchand.
He can also make a play for Buffalo's Johan Larsson.
The Flames have been scouting the Sabres.
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