Buffalo Sabres second-year forward Jack Quinn had surgery on Monday to correct a lower-body ailment and is anticipated to be out for around eight weeks, according to a team source.
Quinn, Buffalo’s first-round pick in 2020, suffered the injury during the Sabres’ 5-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday when Tomas Hertl shoved him into the boards. Quinn, 22, had only appeared in 17 games this season after missing the first two months rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon sustained during summer training in June. This ailment is unrelated to the Achilles injury, and Quinn did not sustain any knee damage.
The Sabres expected Quinn to be a significant part of their lineup this season after scoring 14 goals and 37 points as a rookie last year. When Quinn returned to the lineup in December, he scored five goals and seven assists in 17 games before his last setback.
“Obviously the hockey side is a tremendous negative impact when you lose a guy like that, but the emotions go to the personal side,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Saturday. “You know, he’s already been through a lot in his brief career. It is a challenge.”
The eight-week schedule could keep Quinn out of the lineup until late March, leaving the Sabres with only two weeks of the regular season remaining. Buffalo has already struggled this season, both in terms of rankings and injuries.Tage Thompson suffered a hand injury early in the season, causing him to miss three weeks.Alex Tuch also missed time due to various injuries, including a hamstring problem. The Sabres entered the All-Star break nine points behind a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They won’t play another game until February 6.
Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams will have plenty of time to find out how to reorganize the lineup without Quinn. During Quinn’s absence earlier this season, Jordan Greenway gained greater playing time. The Sabres have experienced winger Victor Olofsson available to fill a spot in the lineup if needed.
Given the Sabres’ current standings, it makes sense to turn to one of their young AHL prospects. Earlier in the season, Lukas Rousek and Brandon Biro were the first two forwards called up from Rochester, so they would be available. Isak Rosen, a 2021 first-round pick, and Jiri Kulich, Buffalo’s 2022 first-rounder, both enjoyed good seasons with Rochester, but have recently been in scoring slumps. Rosen was called up to the NHL for seven games earlier this season, while Kulich received only one.
Adams could also make a trade, but it would most likely have to be one that would benefit the team in the long run or one that would not need the organization to give up substantial future assets. The Sabres aren’t close enough to a playoff berth to justify acquiring a rental player with an expiring deal.
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