The Sabres placed three more players in COVID-19 protocol, bringing their total to five players ahead of their game Thursday vs. the Sharks. With Tuch out, the Sabres are expected to reunite Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson.
Alex Tuch News
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Tuch was scheduled to make his Sabres debut before the Christmas break but the games were postponed, so it had to wait until tonight. Tuch will start his Sabres career on the top line with Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka and will also serve as the net-front presence on the top power-play unit.
Tuch was acquired from the Golden Knight in the Jack Eichel trade and is set to make his Sabres debut vs. the Blue Jackets. Tuch, who scored 18 goals with 15 assists (33 points) in 55 games a season ago, is expected to skate on a line with Dylan Cozens.
Tuch underwent shoulder surgery in June and his original timetable was six months. That would have him back after the Christmas break, which is a few weeks away. Tuch appears to be on schedule for a late-December or early-January debut.
Tuch was nearing a return to the Golden Knights lineup before suffering a setback at the start of the week. Not travelling suggests that Tuch will miss at least two more games but could be back for next Tuesday's home game vs. the Stars.
Tuch was nearing a return to the Golden Knights lineup but will miss additional games after suffering a setback. With Tuch still sidelined, Nicolas Roy will stay in a prominent role.
Tuch missed the last four games with an upper-body injury that he suffered in his second game of the season (Nov.2) but will suit up vs. the Blackhawks. Tuch scored a goal in his season debut and will play on the same line tonight (with Cody Eakin and Cody Glass).
Tuch missed the first 13 games of the season and lasted just four periods before getting hurt again. Tuch didn't travel with the team to star their road-trip but may re-join them at some point during their four-game trip. Nicolas Roy was recalled from Chicago (AHL) and will take his spot on the roster on Tuesday.
All signs are pointing towards Tuch making his season debut on Thursday but he has not been medically cleared as of now. Tuch skated on the third line with Cody Eakin and Cody Glass in Wednesday's practice, so look for him to start the season there. The 23-year-old power-forward had 52 points (20G / 32A) in 74 games last season.
This comes as no surprise because Tuch is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. Tuch is officially listed as week-to-week, so expect an update on his status in mid-October. Cody Glass will get a huge early-season look while Tuch is on the mend.