This morning, the Sabres had an optional skate and the results were not good.
A handful of Sabres sat the skate out. Normally, that would not be a big deal.
Once Lindy Ruff spoke, we would realize the news isn’t good.
Of five Sabres who skipped practice — Pominville, Hodgson, Ott, Hecht, Ehrhoff — Lindy Ruff puts an unidentified two doubtful for Tuesday.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) February 4, 2013
Also, Lindy Ruff spoke about a few players who have been injured.
Patrick Kaleta is almost ready to get back on the ice and continue his progression back from a neck injury suffered against Toronto. There still is no timetable for him but the news is obviously positive.
Not so positive is the status of Ville Leino.
Leino, who has missed every game this season, still fails to progress with his hip injury. He will try a new form of treatment, but for the first time, Lindy Ruff admitted that there is doubt as to whether Leino will play this season.
Just a side note, if Leino was to miss the entire season he would still be an amnesty candidate, as long as he was healthy before the end of the season. If Leino was to be placed on long-term injured reserve, he could not be bought out.
On a brighter note, the NHL has officially named Thomas Vanek the first star of the week. This is a well-deserved honor after he scored 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in four games this week.