The plot thickened after Sabres practice today when coach Lindy Ruff announced that defenseman Toni Lydman has a hand injury and winger Drew Stafford has a mild concussion. While there's good signs Stafford may play in Saturday's opener against Montreal, Ruff acknowledged Lydman may not be ready. And that could be a way for the Sabres to not be forced into a decision on Tyler Myers by Wednesday's 3 p.m. roster deadline.
Thus, the Sabres could keep Myers -- who has easily been one of their top six defensemen in preseason -- for his nine-game trial period to see how responds to regular-season play and then send him back to junior at that point.
"If you don't have [Lydman], that decision is made easier when you have the absence of one of your defensemen," Ruff said.
Ruff also had big praise for Tim Kennedy, who's making a big push for a spot, and Nathan Gerbe. Kennedy, the South Buffalo product, has clearly been the more impressive of the two former college and Portland stars.
Also, the Sabres want to send Cody McCormick to Portland but he first has to clear waivers.
5:15 p.m. update: McCormick cleared waivers and has been assigned to Portland. Good pickup for the Pirates and he can help the Sabres on the grit end when needed. He looked good in camp.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
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