Tuch has missed the Sabres' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and will play Monday vs. Toronto. The 26-year-old has 28 goals, 34 assists, 164 SOG, and a +12 plus/minus through 62 games with the Sabres this season.
Tuch has missed the Sabres' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Monday vs. Toronto. The 26-year-old has 28 goals, 34 assists, 164 SOG, and a +12 plus/minus through 62 games with the Sabres this season.
Tuch crashed into the post on Sunday and did not return to the game. Head coach Don Granato said that the testing at the arena was "as positive as it can be." He was sent for further imaging and is questionable to play Monday against the Panthers.
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.
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.
