The Sabres kick off their 2016-17 season tonight in KeyBank Center against the Canadiens. Their roster is a set despite missing center Jack Eichel, newly-acquired free agent Kyle Okposo and trade-acquisition Dmitry Kulikov, all with injuries.
Okposo (bruised knee) may return to practice Friday and could play Sunday against McDavid and company in Edmonton. Kulikov is still suffering from the butt bruise he suffered when checked into the door to Toronto’s bench during the preseason.
“It’s going to be tough, but we have a pretty deep lineup. We have a lot of guys that can score, a lot of guys that can create. To a man, we all know it’s going to be a bit extra from us. Coming in tonight with the first game, we have to start the right way and make sure we’re playing the right way.” – Ryan O’Reilly
Meanwhile, an hour or so east on the I-90, the Rochester Amerks usher in their season tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 14, hosting the Hershey Bears at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:05 p.m. It’ll be a busy weekend as they play three games in three days, ending with a home-and-home series against the Syracuse Crunch.
With injuries so prevalent in the game today, SHC wants to keep you in the loop with the talent in Rochester.
Amerks Head Coach Dan Lambert’s roster has been set. Here are the 23 skaters and two goaltenders that made the team:
Forwards (15): Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste, William Carrier, Dan Catenacci, Eric Cornel, Jean Dupuy, Tyson Fawcett, Vaclav Karabacek, Justin Kea, Matthew Lane, Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Alexander Nylander, Cal O’Reilly, Evan Rodrigues and Cole Schneider
Defensemen (8): Brady Austin, Mac Bennett, Erik Burgdoerfer, Justin Falk, Taylor Fedun, Paul Geiger, Brycen Martin and Tyson Strachan
Goaltenders (2): Jason Kasdorf and Linus Ullmark