Sabres’ Jiri Kulich placed on injured reserve with lower-body injury

According to the NHL media site, the Buffalo Sabres have placed forward Jiri Kulich on injured reserve.

When speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Lindy Ruff revealed that Kulich will not be traveling with the team on its upcoming trip and is considered out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Kulich was reportedly hurt during the Sabres’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday night. The 20-year-old left during the latter half of the second period but didn’t return for the third.

With the placement on IR retroactive to Jan. 6, Kulich will not be eligible to return to the lineup until Jan. 15, when the Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes, the second game of the three-game homestand for Buffalo.

Kulich’s absence adds to the list of players out for the Sabres. Beck Malenstyn is still ill, and won’t be traveling with the team as it gets ready to visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Forward Jordan Greenway remains out indefinitely as well.

Kulich has been trying to make waves during his first full season with the Sabres. The former first-round pick made his NHL debut on Nov. 25, 2023, but that ended up being his only appearance. He started the season with the Sabres before having a brief stint with Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Kulich was called back up in mid-November and has been with the team ever since.

In 31 games this year, the Czech native has scored seven goals and two assists for nine points, last finding the back of the net in the Sabres’ 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 29.

The Sabres (15-21-5) are last in the Eastern Conference, and are seven points out of the last Wild Card spot.