Connect with us

Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Sending Devon Levi Down to Rochester; Another Key Forward Injured

Published

2 weeks ago

on

Buffalo Sabres practice Devon Levi Rochester Americans Tuch Greenway Jokiharju

Buffalo Sabres practice on Monday was newsworthy. Head coach Lindy Ruff announced that goalie Devon Levi would not go with the team out west and would instead be sent to AHL Rochester. Levi started the last two games for the Sabres, going 1-1-0 and stopping 51 of 58 shots.

“We got to get him some games, get him playing,” Ruff said. “You need to find some rhythm. You need to see game-like chaos which you don’t get in practice.”

Levi to Rochester

Ruff acknowledges that this is probably the first time in Levi’s career that he only played once in about a month, which isn’t ideal for his development. He talked to Devon Levi about the move and said the young netminder is eager to play games with the Rochester Americans.

The recent reacquisition of veteran goalie James Reimer off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks opened up the ability to send Levi to the AHL. Reimer is a proven backup goaltender in the league, and the Sabres feel confident in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s health to roll with two goalies on the West Coast trip.

Related: Sabres Claim Familiar Goalie Off Waivers

Alex Tuch Injured

Tage Thompson practiced in full for the Sabres, but another top-line forward was absent. Alex Tuch missed Monday’s practice with an “injury, slash give the day off and see how he feels,” according to Ruff.

How he feels on Tuesday will determine his status for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Sabres lined up a bit differently up front to adjust for Tuch’s absence. According to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News, Jason Zucker took line rushes with Thompson and JJ Peterka. Ryan McLeod was back in his usual third-line role alongside Jiri Kulich and Sam Lafferty. Peyton Krebs slid down to the fourth line between Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

As for Thompson, it appears the star center is ready to go. According to Ruff, he’s not quite 100% recovered from his lower-body injury, but he’s close enough to play.

More: Sabres Star Deserves Early MVP Consideration

Greenway Out Week-to-Week

As for the injured Jordan Greenway, the news was much less optimistic. Ruff deemed Greenway’s injury as a “middle body” injury that will keep him out week-to-week. The designation surely means he’s destined for injured reserve. The Sabres will need to keep a roster spot open for Jiri Kulich and potentially another call-up, pending Tuch’s status.

Sending Devon Levi down to Rochester also opens up a roster spot for Buffalo, meaning multiple call-ups are possible.

Jokiharju Returning to Lineup

Henri Jokiharju has been a healthy scratch in the past handful of games. Ruff announced that the Finnish defenseman will play on Wednesday against the Kings.

Usually a lineup mainstay, Ruff and the coaching staff want more physicality from Jokiharju. Winning puck battles and cleaning things up in front of the net have been points of emphasis for the defense, and players such as Dennis Gilbert and Connor Clifton have provided more in those areas.

The staff was not happy with Clifton’s performance last game against the Philadelphia Flyers, opening the door for Jokiharju to return to the lineup to reestablish his role with the Sabres.

For more news around the NHL, check out the National Hockey Now Network.

Related Topics: