The injury bug reared its ugly head once again for the Buffalo Sabres, and now it looks like the team could be without forward Johan Larsson for the remainder of the season.
McQuaid drills Larsson pic.twitter.com/zJxVdnI8Jl
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 31, 2016
"Unfortunately my season is over," Larsson texted the Gotland Newspapers in his home country of Sweden.
Larsson dislocated his elbow and wrist after crashing into the corner boards on a hit from Boston Bruins defender Adam McQuaid in Saturday's 3-1 loss. The hit hospitalized Larsson, but he was able to return to Buffalo on Monday.
Before the season Larsson signed a one-year contract worth $950,000. In 36 games Larsson has 11 points (6G, 5A).
Bove's take:
Larsson has been far from perfect this season, but he has been one of the Sabres most consistent forwards. I know, I can't believe I'm writing that, either.
He's centered the Sabres steadiest line with Brian Gionta and Marcus Foligno and contributed in several different situations.
Larsson has been moved around the lineup because of so many other injuries, but his loss will without question be another major obstacle for the Sabres.
The good news -- There's nothing positive about a player getting injured, but his roster spot can be filled by one of the Sabres young prospects who fans have ached to see.
The bad news -- Larsson is a center, and the Sabres don't have a ton of talent down the middle in Rochester. Cal O'Reilly seems like a viable option with Larsson out for an extender period of time, unless the Sabres opt to do some more roster shuffling. Without Larsson and Ryan O'Reilly the Sabres find themselves without two of their top three centers.
While I don't think the Larsson injury is a back-breaker, I do believe the Sabres will miss the 24-year-old in the lineup. Remmeber, even though he has 'only' six goals, Larsson does create space and often gets solid scoring chances.
The question now is whether or not Larsson will ever play for the Sabres again. I don't know for sure, but his days in Buffalo may be numbered, unless he's a bargain or still available after the expansion draft.
