5 Players Injured in Wild Sabres Practice

The Buffalo Sabres training camp has been eventful so far, to say the least, and Thursday was no different. After star Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin left the ice injured minutes into the first session on day one, Tage Thompson took a surprise bodycheck from Peyton Krebs that had him hunched over in between drills for most of the first half of the skate. On Thursday, the injuries came from the third group to practice.

After most of the media left the arena, I decided to stick around to catch the third group skating which included top prospects Konsta Helenius, Isak Rosen, and Anton Wahlberg. The group as a whole was noticeably competitive on day one, so I decided to stick around and see if they could bring the same energy on consecutive days.

Guess what? They did. Only this time, the results were wild.

Aleksandr Kisakov

The practice session was uptempo and competitive as expected, but that all came screeching to a halt as Aleksandr Kisakov went tumbling hard into the boards. Kisakov laid motionless against the boards briefly, and the players rushed over to see if he was okay.

Members of the third Sabres group helped the injured Russian prospect to his feet. He glided over slowly to the bench, and, to my surprise, he sat on the end of the bench instead of heading down the tunnel.

After a proper check-in with the trainers, Kisakov popped back on the ice and immediately back into the drill.

Aleksandr Kisakov took a hard tumble into the boards during the 3rd practice session.

Practice paused and he’s now being attended to on the end of the bench.

— Jason Moser 🏒 (@PuckLuckJay) September 19, 2024

Sabres Training Camp: Dahlin Injury Update, Ryan Johnson Promoted on Day 2 of Sabres Training Camp

Simon-Pier Brunet

Just as the onlookers could breathe a sigh of relief regarding Kisakov, Simon-Pier Brunet caught an errant shoulder to the chops. He immediately removed his glove and did the habitual check for blood. It looked like he found what he expected, as he replaced Kisakov’s now vacated spot on the end of the bench in front of the training staff.

The staff attended to the injured Brunet, who missed the Sabres Prospects Challenge with an unspecified ailment. As hockey players are accustomed to doing, he returned to the ice and finished practice with the group.

Now Simon-Pier Brunet took a shoulder to the face and is being attended to by the training staff.

Bit of a rough patch here in the 3rd group.

— Jason Moser 🏒 (@PuckLuckJay) September 19, 2024

Sabres Depth: Sabres Depth Chart Update Heading into Training Camp

Anton Wahlberg and Brendan Warren

The competitiveness and effort level remained high when the Sabres switched to an in-zone two-on-two drill. Suddenly big thud and a collective “whoa” from the players and observers echoed throughout the arena as Anton Wahlberg and Brendan Warren collided hard into each other.

Wahlberg hit the ice hard, but Warren got the worst of the collision as the two crossed paths and he went sliding across the ice and into the boards. Both players took their time getting up but returned immediately to their respective lines for the drill.

Warren left the line temporarily for the bench area, where he seemed to be getting his equipment looked at before rejoining the drill.

Another bad collision, this time between Warren and Wahlberg, that drew a collective “whoa” followed by silence from the group.

Both got back on their feet and returned to their respective lines.

Just getting through this session unscathed seems like an accomplishment.

— Jason Moser 🏒 (@PuckLuckJay) September 19, 2024

Breaking: Former Sabres Captain Announces Retirement From NHL

Viktor Neuchev

By this time, as a bystander, I figured the goal from here on out in practice is to just get through it healthy. The intensity remained, however, until shifty forward Viktor Neuchev was sent toppling over the goaltender and into the net.

Neuchev provided highlight-reel dekes all session, fed by linemates Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen.

The check by the defender was one of those some would deem unnecessary, while others would applaud for “setting the tone”.

Not one player applauded this hit, however, as Neuchev’s face looked to collide with the post. The trainers were immediately signaled for. Subsequently, Neuchev left the ice and headed down the tunnel with a towel over his face.

I thought this would be the final straw. Since this was the final drill anyway, I thought the coaching staff might call the practice. Instead, one of the development coaches scraped the area on the ice where Neuchev’s blood was. The Sabres finished the drill.

Neuchev did not return to the ice through the session’s final minutes, and no update was provided.

Oh my.

Neuchev just gets buried over top Ratzlaff and into the net. Trainers hurry to the ice and he walks down the tunnel with a towel to his face.

Another ugly, ugly scene. https://t.co/YYhfsyT5U1

— Jason Moser 🏒 (@PuckLuckJay) September 19, 2024

Prospects Challenge: Top 3 Sabres Prospects in Challenge Against Blue Jackets

Lindy Ruff and the Coaching Staff

I want to clarify one thing – the injured Sabres were in no way anyone’s fault or had to do with the way the practice was run. Yes, Lindy Ruff’s practice environment helps to draw out some of that competitiveness and intensity from the players. However, these were mostly incidental and freak accidents.

Even the hit on Neuchev, out of character for a normal practice, usually sees the player hit the netting uncomfortably. The fact that he collided partially with the post was surely not the intention.

Given the nature of the incidents, I would not be surprised to see all five players on the ice for tomorrow’s practice. Besides bumps, bruises, and cuts, Neuchev’s status is the most alarming and the one to monitor.

Regarding any news to come out of this, I will have more for you on Friday. If you do not follow me already, my handle is @PuckLuckJay on X for real-time updates.