MONTREAL -- The Sabres welcomed back Mike Grier with an optional skate today after the veteran winger missed four games due the death of his mother. He is expected to play Monday when the Sabres play the Canadiens and try for their fourth straight win.
"I would think he would be ready in a limited role," coach Lindy Ruff said. "I don’t think we could ask too much out of him after having these five days off. I would hope to get him in 10, 12 minutes."
Ruff will likely use Grier as the right winger on the fourth line with Matt Ellis and Adam Mair, allowing red-hot Patrick Kaleta to stay up on a scoring line.
"Now that he’s our hottest goal scorer, we’ll leave him up on one of the top lines," Ruff said of Saturday's two-goal scorer.
Nathan Gerbe, who missed Saturday's game with a groin strain, could not skate today, won't play Monday and is unlikely to dress Wednesday when the Sabres visit Ottawa.
"I would doubt if he’ll be able to play the rest of this trip," Ruff said.
Mark Mancari was called up to fill Gerbe's spot Saturday, but he's been returned to Portland after seven uneventful minutes and the return of Grier.
---John Vogl
