Houser returns as Sabres manage more injuries in net

Michael Houser became the sixth goaltender to dress for the Sabres when he made his memorable debut in May of last season. Carter Hutton, Linus Ullmark, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had all sustained injuries. Jonas Johansson was traded. Dustin Tokarski's season ended early due to a personal matter.
So, Houser - then 28 years old and having not played a professional game in nearly 14 months - got the call. He made 34 saves to win his debut, 4-2 over the New York Islanders. The following night, he made 45 saves and stopped three more shots in a shootout to beat the Islanders again.
Houser looked for an NHL deal during the offseason but ultimately signed a one-year AHL contract to stay with the Rochester Americans in September. Wednesday, the call came again.

The Sabres signed Houser to a one-year contract prior to practice in the wake of injuries to Luukkonen and Malcolm Subban, both of which occurred during Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. If Houser appears in a game, he will once again be Buffalo's sixth goalie in a single season.
Buffalo also recalled Aaron Dell from Rochester prior to practice. Coach Don Granato said he was leaning toward starting Dell on Thursday night in Nashville, though he added that the decision was not final.
"Houser was an inspiration last year and did exceptionally well," Granato said. "He's an overachiever and that's exactly what we're about right now and what we need."

Buffalo opened the season with a goaltending tandem of Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski. Anderson sustained an upper-body injury on Nov. 2 and is still considered month to month, though he has not been ruled out for the season. Tokarski entered COVID-19 protocol on Dec. 2 and - though he has practiced since Dec. 27 - has not been cleared for game action due lingering symptoms.
The Sabres acquired Subban from the Chicago Blackhawks after Tokarski entered protocol. Subban sustained a lower-body injury in his debut, prompting the team to recall the 22-year-old Luukkonen. Luukkonen had started 10 of the team's past 12 games with a .917 save percentage prior to sustaining his injury on Tuesday.
Subban, who entered in relief of Luukkonen, sustained his upper-body injury when Lightning forward Patrick Maroon fell on top of him late during the second period. Subban completed the game before imaging revealed a long-term injury.
"He's gonna be out for some time," Granato said. "And he played through it and made some great saves in the third period as well. But he's proven that he's a team guy. He works hard for his teammates. He cares about his team and teammates and that was a perfect example last night."

Houser is 5-4-0 with a .900 save percentage in 11 games this season with Rochester. He has gotten into a groove of late, making seven starts since Dec. 15 and allowing three or fewer goals in all but one.
Dell played seven games with the Sabres, going 0-5-0 with an .872 save percentage, prior to being reassigned to the Amerks on Dec. 14. He has appeared in two games since with Amerks - winning both - while missing nearly a week due to the birth of a son, Jaxon.
Granato watched him Dell start in person last Friday, a 28-save win over Hartford.
"He looked like a different guy," Granato said. "I'm not so sure we saw him and what he is. You know, he struggled early. There's no question. But I think he is better than he showed, and he's shown going to Rochester that he looks like a different guy. He even looked like a different guy at practice."

Quinn returns to Amerks

The Sabres reassigned forward Jack Quinn and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to Rochester on Wednesday. Quinn, Buffalo's first-round pick in 2020, made his NHL debut against the Lightning, tallying team highs in shots (3) and shot attempts (6).
Forwards Alex Tuch and Kyle Okposo both skated with the team again on Wednesday and could potentially play against the Predators, prompting the move. Quinn ranks eighth among AHL players with 12 goals despite missing over a month with mononucleosis."
"I think it's best to stick to our plan," Granato said. "There's still going to be value in him going to play games right now."