Buffalo didn’t get a lot of puck luck last season, and that trend has continued in 2015-16.
Although they made plenty of changes over the summer, the Sabres have struggled to stay healthy throughout the preseason.
The team did get some good news on Friday, as Josh Gorges (lower-body) said he will be ready for the regular season opener against Ottawa on Oct. 8, but fellow blueliner Zach Bogosian remains out.
The injury situation has created an interesting battle at camp.
Players like Carlo Colaiacovo, Mark Pysyk, Jake McCabe and 2015 second-rounder Brendan Guhle are all fighting for a spot on Buffalo’s defense.
The Sabres are also trying to figure out who they’ll play on the right side of their second line.
Zemgus Girgensons, a natural center, is still in the running to fill that void, but so is captain Brian Gionta.
Girgensons, 21, had 15 goals and 30 points in 61 games last year before missing the final 21 contests with a lower-body injury. Gionta, 36, had 13 goals and 35 points in 69 games.
The Sabres play their final preseason game on Friday night when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
