Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) -- When the Buffalo Sabres take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, they'll likely do it without both Ville Leino and Andrej Sekera.
Yet to play in a contest this season, Leino has been aiming to get back by this weekend to take on his former teamamtes in Philadelphia. His hip injury, however, will likely keep him on the bench for at least another game.
"I would doubt Sunday, but certainly next week a possibility -- strong possibility," Rolston said of Leino's game status. "Just see how they're going, again, with the competitive nature of things and how we have to play. We're just tracking that."
The Sabres are attempting to get Leino's conditioning up to game level before he hits the ice when it counts. The forward is just ready to put the injury behind him this season.
"Yeah, I've been eager for a while," Leino remarked. "It's been a long time and I'm having fun out there even doing drills."
Playing in the game against New Jersey, Sekera had to leave in the third period due to an unspecified injury. He missed practice on Friday, to which interim coach Ron Rolston labeled him as "day-to-day," as well as being doubtful for the Flyers game. Rolston did say that Tuesday night against the New York Rangers remained a possibility.
Sekera's injury is another to add to the blue line for Buffalo. Both Jordan Leopold and Alexander Sulzer still remain on Injured Reserve with their respective ailments. Leopold was once again on the ice for practice with the team.
"Getting close," he said after the skate. "We've got another day of practice tomorrow, and re-evaluate, and go from there."
The Sabres, bedecked with 14 forwards and 7 defensemen, skated at the Timothy J. Burvid Ice Rink in South Buffalo this afternoon. Their normal practice spot, First Niagara Center, is being transformed for the Rihanna concert Friday evening. Even their usual backup spot, the Northtown Center, was being used for a hockey tournament of it's own, forcing the Sabres to find other means.
Buffalo takes on Philadelphia on the road Sunday night at 7:30 pm.
