Sabres' G Robin Lehner, D Mark Pysyk take next step in recoveries
The Buffalo Sabres received some good news Tuesday when the team announced two of the Sabres' walking wounded, goaltender Robin Lehner and defenseman Mark Pysyk, will head to the AHL-affiliate Rochester Americans this week to begin rehab assignments.
Lehner suffered a high ankle sprain on Opening Night and has not played since, as his injury has taken longer to heal than the initial 6-10 week timeline. Pysyk has been out since Nov. 17 with a broken foot.
The Amerks have three games on the schedule this weekend, giving both Pysyk and Lehner a good opportunity to get familiar with plenty of game action again.
Lehner was traded to Buffalo from the Ottawa Senators over the summer after playing in 25 games for Ottawa last season. He compiled a a 9-12-3 record with a .905 save percentage in 2014-15, and as a 24-year-old goaltender who has strong statistics through his early NHL career, Lehner is expected to grow into the role of a top goaltender in the NHL.
The 23-year-old Pysyk missed a chunk of time last season after he collapsed during a basketball game with teammates last February. He returned to the ice with the AHL Amerks in April and played well enough through training camp to make the Sabres' roster this season. A stay-at-home defenseman, Pysyk has one point in 18 games with the Sabres this season with a minus-one rating.
