As the Buffalo Sabres continue their game action Monday night with a game at Joe Louis Arena to face the Detroit Red Wings, there’s still one player missing out of the lineup who undoubtedly would love to get back in.
Though that description could apply to a number of players, including Tyler Ennis, who’s been absent recently, I’m talking about one in particular: Cody McCormick.
McCormick has yet to play this season, kept out of the lineup due to blood clot issues. He’s been skating lightly, but hasn’t taken part in full practice, and there’s no timetable for his return to game action.
His last game was on January 9, 2015. McCormick registered a goal that night as the Buffalo Sabres fell 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He has no idea when – if ever – his next game will be. [The Buffalo News]
When Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis announced his retirement last week due to blood clots, it was hard not to think about McCormick. Since he’s on blood thinners – something he may have to take for the rest of his life – he can’t be cleared to play, and a return to the game will be a big challenge ahead. It’d be great to see him back in the game- just not at the expense of his health.
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The folks over at The Hockey Writers have been recently doing a weekly feature on respective NHL team foundations.
Recently, they published one about the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, which has really revved up its action in the past few years. From the new Holiday Angels program to working with veterans and members of the military, the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey program and even the in-game 50/50, the Foundation does a lot to reach out to the community.
If you’ve got any interest in giving or charity or anything like that, the article (linked above) is worth a read.
While some things in the NHL stay the same, others change. And one thing we might see changing very soon: the look of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [The Star]
The Leafs, along with the Florida Panthers, are supposed to be getting new jerseys, emblazoned with a new logo, when next season rolls around.
Of course, this has sparked Photoshops around the Internet as to what the new look could be, but either way, it’s interesting. Do they go for minor changes in detailing, things that perhaps might not be visible to the quick glance? Do they totally revamp things?
(If rumors are true, the Panthers’ new look will be quite different from their appearance now.)
Speaking of the Florida Panthers, how about Jaromir Jagr?
He’s just one goal shy of passing Marcel Dionne‘s 731 career goals for fourth place overall in NHL history. That’s a big deal, considering how long Dionne has been in the top four historically, even spending some time in the top three. [NHL.com]
Sometimes it’s easy to realize how long a guy like Jagr’s been playing in the NHL, but you don’t realize just how much that means, just how historically important that is, until we get close to milestones like this.
Next: Sabres Prospects Invited to WJC Camps
Following Saturday’s win, the Buffalo Sabres return to action tonight, visiting the Detroit Red Wings before the New Jersey Devils come to town on Tuesday.