Evander Kane injury update: Out weeks with cracked ribs
Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane is out for the next few weeks with three cracked ribs.
The Buffalo Sabres have suffered yet another huge injury. Even after Jack Eichel’s high ankle sprain, the injury bug has bitten again. This time, its victim is forward Evander Kane. Kane exited Thursday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens with an upper body injury. He was in a lot of pain and it didn’t take a doctor to realize he was badly hurt. The Sabres announced on Friday he has three cracked ribs and will be out for weeks.
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma on Evander Kane: he has three cracked ribs. "We're looking at weeks."
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 14, 2016
Many initially believed he had a broken clavicle or collarbone, as the injury was eerily similar to the one Connor McDavid suffered last season. This could have been so much worse for the Sabres. Losing him for weeks is preferable to losing him for over two months. That said, it doesn’t make it any easier on the Sabres because of all of their injuries.
Expect the Sabres to call someone up shortly. They could give a chance to 2016 first round pick Alex Nylander. Nylander is in the AHL and impressed the Sabres during training camp and preseason. They could also call up Justin Bailey or Evan Rodrigues if they’d prefer to let Nylander get experience in the AHL. It’s not like the Sabres are contending, so they could call up Nylander to see what he can do in the NHL. If it doesn’t work out, they could send him back down and call up Bailey or Rodrigues.
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There is a bit of good news for the Sabres despite their recent injuries. Forward Kyle Okposo is expected to play on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. He should provide a much-needed infusion of scoring to a team which lacks it without Eichel and Kane.