The Sabres once again have eight healthy defensemen, with Shaone Morrisonn cleared to return from the concussion he suffered Dec. 3 against Columbus. Morrisonn, who has missed seven games, will sit out his eighth straight Thursday when the Sabres host Florida in HSBC Arena. He needs more work before facing a game situation.
"Today was his first good workout," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He needs to practice. He hasn’t been involved. He’s had a couple light skates, but he needs to practice."
Ruff said this week's surgery to repair Tim Connolly's fractured nose went well, though there is no timetable for the center's return. Right wing Patrick Kaleta was back at practice after sitting out the final two periods of Tuesday's 5-2 victory over Anaheim. Kaleta was boarded by the Ducks' Jason Blake.
---John Vogl
