Buffalo Sabres Injury Update: No Timetable for Zach Bogosian
Things are looking up for the Buffalo Sabres lately. The offense has been generating over 20 shots per game, sometimes over 40 shots in the period of 60 minutes. The team’s been winning here and there lately, and generally – things aren’t bad.
One thing that could still use some work: the defense, which is still missing Zach Bogosian. Bogosian has yet to play this season for the Buffalo Sabres, and it seems like it’ll stay that way, at least for the time being.
According to reports from The Buffalo News, Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said he isn’t sure when Bogosian will make his season debut, or even return to full practice.
“I don’t have a good answer for you,” Bylsma told The Buffalo News when he was asked about Bogosian’s status or potential return date.
The 25-year-old could certainly help out the Buffalo Sabres blueline when he does return, but there’s no timetable for that just yet. Though he’s been participating in on-ice workouts on his own, he has yet to join his teammates on the ice for practice, a crucial step in his eventual return to games.
The good news: other members of the Buffalo Sabres defense have stepped up in Bogosian’s absence.
Rasmus Ristolainen has been averaging 24 minutes and 22 seconds of ice time per game, leading Sabres defensemen in that statistic. He also leads the Buffalo Sabres in even-strength time on ice (233:32) and shorthanded time on ice (25:22).
Ristolainen also leads Buffalo Sabres blue liners in points, with five on the season one goal and four assists. Three of his five points have come on the power-play. He also leads the team’s defense with 31 shots on goal.
Another defenseman who has stepped up for the Buffalo Sabres: Josh Gorges. In 12 games this season, Gorges has a total of 38:46 power-play ice time, leading the team in that category. His average ice time per game has gone up to 20:29, and he’s averaging 27.7 shifts per game.
Gorges has registered one point in 12 games this season and seven shots on goal.
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Keep going: Cody Franson is averaging 20:09 per game, or 26.8 shifts. He’s played over 190 minutes so far this season. Franson is tied with Ristolainen to lead Sabres defensive scoring with five points – all assists. Just like Risto, three of his five points have come with the man advantage. He’s registered 27 shots.
Mark Pysyk, who could easily be labeled as another one of the Buffalo Sabres’ top young defensemen, averages 16:03 ice time per game this season, including 15:52 average even-strength time on ice. Pysyk is still looking for his first point of the season, but has 10 shots in 12 games.
So while we don’t know quite when Zach Bogosian will join team practices – the next step en route to eventually making his season debut – it’s not the end of the world for the Buffalo Sabres. Even when Bogosian is set to rejoin practices, it’s unclear what his status will be, considering he missed a portion of training camp as well. Undoubtedly the Sabres will wait until he’s 100 percent, rather than rushing him in.
Next: Ristolainen Stepping Up For Sabres
The other defenders are picking up the slack quite nicely, and when Bogosian is ready to come into the lineup, it’s like that either Carlo Colaiacovo, Mike Weber or Jake McCabe will come out to allow him in. All three have missed games this season, with Weber being a healthy scratch most recently, and Bogosian will likely bump these guys out of their spots and mix things up.
Keep checking back at SabreNoise as we continue to await the reintroduction of Zach Bogosian to the Buffalo Sabres lineup; we’ll have any injury updates posted for you right here!