With training camps for the 7 non-playoff teams eligible to open on Thursday, the Sabres look to kick off their on-ice sessions on Friday, but will do so without the presence of their captain, Jack Eichel, who was reportedly injured during training and is considered day-to-day.
This timing of Eichel's injury is poor, as the Sabres have been out of action since March and could use a full training for their marquee players to avoid a potential slow start when the 2020-21 season opens in 12 days. However, the day-to-day prognosis is a bit of a silver-lining, in that the injury appears to be minor, which is good news for both the team and the player, assuming Eichel doesn't miss much time.
The former 2nd overall pick in 2015 is coming off of a stellar year in 2019-20, during which he registered a career-high 36 goals to go along with his 42 assists for a lofty 78 points in just 68 games played during the pandemic-shortened season. That is a 94-point pace over a full 82 game season.
The Sabres will also be without the services of goaltender Linus Ullmark at the start of camp, as the 27-year-old is in the process of completing his mandated quarantine, following an immigration issue. The team confirmed on Twitter that they expect to have Ullmark join the team at camp within a few days.
After a down year in 2018-19, Ullmark rebounded nicely in 2019-20, bringing down his GAA from 3.11 to 2.69, and his SV% up from .905 to .915 in 34 starts last season, while amassing a 17-14-3 record.
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