Jochen Hecht figured he'd be doubtful for Game One against Boston. Now he's out for the series, and maybe longer.
Hecht, who had surgery last week on his left pinkie, has undergone another procedure and won't return to the Sabres for weeks.
"Jochen was re-evaluated and had to have some further work done," coach Lindy Ruff said after today's morning skate. "He’s out now for what would be weeks instead of days. He had a small procedure. That’s disappointing."
Ruff said the finger was not infected, just sustained further damage.
Hecht missed the final three games of the season, though he played five games with the ailment suffered against Tampa Bay on March 27. Hecht had 21 goals and 21 assists this season and has been a solid playoff performer during his 10-year career. He has 31 points in 58 playoff games, scoring 14 times.
Left wing Tyler Ennis has assumed Hecht's role alongside center Tim Connolly and right wing Jason Pominville.
"The playoffs are about losing people and people stepping into bigger roles," Ruff said. "He’s obviously been an important part of our team for the year, and now somebody has to step in and fill that void for us."
---John Vogl
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