Mixed news out of KeyBank Center as the Sabres returned to training camp after an off day.
The team announced that forward Zemgus Girgensons has undergone surgery to repair a hamstring injury. The projected recovery time is six months. Girgensons suffered the injury during a scrimmage on Monday.
"We all can feel the hole that Zemgus leaves with his injury. The character, the work ethic, the role that he has in our group is something that makes him unique," Head Coach Ralph Krueger said.
I challenged the group today to chip in and take a piece of this hole."
Girgensons had 12 goals and 7 assists in 69 games last season.
As expected, captain Jack Eichel skated for the first time in training camp. He had suffered an upper body injury during off-ice training ahead of camp.
"I think it's good. It's been awhile since I've been on the ice with that many guys, so I feel like I was a couple of steps behind to day, but hopefully it starts coming back and I can be myself again," Eichel said after practice.
Krueger added, "Jack is clearly our leader on the ice, so to have him back, his presence back, was excellent. I did speak with him [about] the importance of him being patient now because he did miss the first four days of extremely intense practice and work. For him, the first time in a big crowd like that on the ice in a long time, we were smiling about it at the halfway mark."
We know the genius of Jack. He'll find his way quickly."
Eichel worked in on the top line with Victor Olofsson, who also returned to the ice, and top free agent Taylor Hall.
"You're just trying to build a relationship with him, get to know his tendencies, and obviously it's the first time it's been on the ice together, so just trying to build some chemistry as quick as possible," Eichel said after his first practice with Hall.
We know we're going to play in a week, so just trying to communicate as much as we can. It's good to be out there and good to be working in a line and getting back to somewhat normal hockey."
Goaltender Linus Ullmark practiced for the first time in camp after finishing an immigration related quarantine.
