Buffalo Sabres: Injuries Causing Defensemen to Drop Left and Right

The Buffalo Sabres' blue line has been ailing this late January.

First, Andrej Sekera goes down with an ankle injury. Next, it’s Teppo Numminen with a fractured face. Then, Henrik Tallinder takes Vince Lecavalier’s skate in the shoulder.

To top it all off, Mike Weber, Michael Funk, and Mike Card, all the next possible prospects in line, are all out with injuries of their own. Weber had minor arthroscopic knee surgery while Funk and Card are facing the troubles of concussions.

In anticipation to last night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, Sabres fans were wringing their hands and biting their nails wondering what would become of the defense that has treated them so well this month.

But the young guns and few remaining veterans pulled through.

Chris Butler has weaseled his way into the hearts of fans everywhere since being recalled for the first time in his career on Dec. 19, 2008 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Butler’s sound defensive play has made it difficult for the management to even think about taking him out of the lineup before injuries started hampering the eight man defensive rotation. He isn’t expected to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Nathan Paetsch, who has spent much of the season in the press box as the odd-man out, has surprised many with his strong play since returning. His jumps up into the offensive rush earned him a goal and assist against Oilers.

Toni Lydman, Jaroslav Spacek, and Captain Craig Rivet, have anchored the back end sturdily. Lydman still provides his keen shot blocking, Rivet is grit and leadership, and Spacek his hard blast from the point.

The Buffalo Sabres entered the All-Star break unaware of who would play as the team’s sixth defenseman. The blue line of their affiliate, the Portland Pirates, has been facing their own defensive woes recently as well.

Then, Marc-Andre Gragnani got the call. He had a stint with the big boys last season, playing two games as forward.

Gragnani produced two assists in his first game and hardly looked out of place in the 10-2 win.

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