Alex Tuch's absence gives Buffalo Sabres chance to try different forward combinations

The Buffalo Sabres began training camp without a big part of their offense as Alex Tuch is dealing with an injury. There wasn't really much concern regarding the injury, and Tuch should be back on the ice well ahead of the regular season.

However, the absence of Tuch gave the coaching staff a chance to try some different combinations for their forwards. This will give them at least a brief look at some other possibilities they could use during the season depending on injuries.

These were some of the takeaways from the forward lines that Paul Hamilton with WGR550 tweeted for the Buffalo Sabres to begin training camp.

Josh Norris begins on the Buffalo Sabres top line with Tage Thompson

One line that wasn't impacted by Alex Tuch's injury and looks like something they will use during the season was the top line with Tage Thompson. The question was whether it would be Jiri Kulich or Josh Norris on the top line at center, and Norris would get the first chance to secure that spot on Thursday.

Norris already has a 35-goal season in his career, and he certainly has the skill to be the team's number one center. The biggest question with him is health, as he has dealt with more than his fair share of injuries, and he hasn't shown he can handle a full 82-game season.

The third player on that line is Zach Benson, who settled into Thompson's line down the stretch last season. This line is probably far from being locked in, but Norris looks to be the favorite at this point.

Buffalo Sabres second line is intriguing with the potential they have

The remainder of the forward lines will end up being reshuffled once Tuch is back at practice and on the ice, but that second line is very intriguing. It is something that wouldn't be surprising if the coaching staff kept together with the potential.

In this first practice, the Sabres went with Jack Quinn and Josh Doan on the wing and Jiri Kulich at center. These three players are some of the biggest question marks the Sabres have because the talent is there for them to have that breakout season but for some, like Quinn, he has had a few seasons to do that and it hasn't happened yet.

Do the Buffalo Sabres put Alex Tuch with these two players?

The third line in practice was Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod, and Justin Danforth, who the Sabres signed as a free agent this summer. Danforth was expected to be on the fourth line, which opens the door for Tuch to play with McLeod and Zucker.

Last season, Tuch played over 200 minutes with Zucker but didn't have significant minutes with McLeod. The Sabres won't put Tuch on the third line, but it wouldn't be overly surprising if Zucker, McLeod, and Tuch were the team's second line for forwards because they complement each other well. They will be a tough defensive forward line that can match up against the opposing team's best line.