Will Alex Tuch play this week? Updates on Buffalo Sabres Week 6 injuries
The Buffalo Sabres could still be without Alex Tuch to start off the week, so when is he slated to return to the Blue and Gold’s lineup?
Alex Tuch remains shelved with an injury, and the Buffalo Sabres sorely missed his presence over the previous two games, despite pulling out a win vs. the Minnesota Wild. The good news, however, is that we have an update on Tuch following what head coach Don Granato said on Monday:
Don Granato said Alex Tuch's injury hasn't resolved yet. No setback. The Sabres want to be cautious. Remains day to day. Won't be ready to face Bruins.
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) November 13, 2023
"I would say Friday is a very good target for him," said Granato. "He was close today, which is why I'd say that."
The obvious bad news is that the Blue and Gold won’t see Tuch in action for tomorrow’s matchup vs. the Boston Bruins. This means the Sabres must make do without their power forward. Jordan Greenway is one player who can help fill the void, but there is, in reality, no real way to replace Tuch.
Tuch could be back for the Buffalo Sabres matchup against the Winnipeg Jets
Per the Twitter/X post above, it seems like Friday, or at worst, Saturday, would be a good target for Tuch to return to the Sabres lineup. So the reassuring takeaway is that he’s not suffering a long-term injury, barring an unforeseen setback, of course.
Meanwhile, Zach Benson, Brandon Biro, Eric Comrie, and Jack Quinn remain as key injuries. However, you may recall that Comrie was seen practicing with the Sabres last week, meaning that he is nearing a return to the three-man goaltender rotation. It also looks like Benson and Biro are also getting in some practice reps as extras:
Sabres’ lines and pairs at practice with Tuch absent:
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) November 13, 2023
Skinner-Thompson-Cozens
Greenway-Mittelstadt-Peterka
Girgensons-Jost-Okposo
Olofsson-Krebs-Rousek
Biro and Benson rotating in
Dahlin-Samuelsson
Power-Jokiharju
Clifton-E. Johnson
R. Johnson-Bryson
It will be interesting to see what the Sabres do with Zach Benson in the near future, and ditto for Biro. Benson could be assigned to compete for a spot on Team Canada in the IIHF World Juniors since the tournament is quickly approaching.
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As for Biro, it’s necessary to stress that he’s not waivers-exempt, which could indicate he remains with the Buffalo Sabres at least until Jack Quinn is ready. Biro looked good in his first NHL game this season, but an upper-body injury shelved him in the subsequent game, so when healthy, he may bring some value to this young Sabres team.
Update: Brandon Biro has been reassigned back to the AHL, per Katelyn Kardaman of NHL.com/Sabres
(Information provided by Hockey-Reference)