Taking next step in recovery, Jokiharju returns to practice with Sabres

Henri Jokiharju returned to practice at KeyBank Center on Wednesday, sporting a yellow non-contact jersey.
Sabres coach Don Granato described this as the next step in the defenseman's recovery and noted that there is no set timeline for his return to the lineup.
"Yeah, that was the first step for him," Granato said. "Obviously, (he was) wearing a yellow jersey but speaking with him after practice, he said he didn't feel fatigued."

Tweet from @BuffaloSabres: Henri Jokiharju\ is back on the ice with the team today 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2CV4MUNpgQ
Wednesday marked Jokiharju's first practice since sustaining a facial injury after taking a shot to the mouth in the first period against Calgary on October 22.
"He hasn't skated a lot, obviously," Granato said. "He skated with our rehab skates on his own with our rehab coach, Mike Ansell. However, he looked fine, probably a little bit rusty because he hadn't skated in a while. From the injury standpoint, it was a great day for him."
In his absence, Kale Clague and Lawrence Pilut have appeared in six and eight games, respectively. Clague has averaged 15:42 of ice time while Lawrence Pilut is averaging 13:42. Both have recorded one assist.
Jokiharju averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time through Buffalo's first three games prior to the injury. He ranked second on the Sabres in average ice time last season.
"It was fun, it's lots of fun," Jokiharju said about being back with his teammates. "Sometimes skating by yourself and a couple coaches is kind of miserable.
"It's hard when you want to be out there to help the team win. You just want to be out there with the boys. Kind of tough."
Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Jokiharju
With Jokiharju progressing and both Rasmus Dahlin and Ilya Lyubushkin having returned from injuries in recent days, Buffalo assigned defenseman Jeremy Davis to Rochester on Wednesday morning.
Here are more notes from Wednesday's practice.
1.Here's how the Sabres lined up for practice.
| November 9 | | --- | | LW | C | RW | | 53 Jeff Skinner | 72 Tage Thompson | 29 Vinnie Hinostroza | | 77 JJ Peterka | 24 Dylan Cozens | 89 Alex Tuch | | 74 Rasmus Asplund | 37 Casey Mittelstadt | 71 Victor Olofsson | | 28 Zemgus Girgensons | 19 Peyton Krebs | 21 Kyle Okposo | | 22 Jack Quinn | | | | LD | RD | G | | 78 Jacob Bryson | 26 Rasmus Dahlin | 41 Craig Anderson | | 20 Lawrence Pilut | 25 Owen Power | 31 Eric Comrie | | 38 Kale Clague | 45 Casey Fitzgerald | | | 10 Henri Jokiharju | | |
2. The Sabres returned to practice looking to rebound from a three-game losing streak ahead of a matchup with the league-leading Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow night at KeyBank Center.
After expressing his displeasure with Monday's practice and Tuesday's game, Granato was pleased with Wednesday's effort.
"Much happier," Granato said. "I thought we were terrible Monday … Right from the first drill, first passes, I thought were much better (today), sharper. A good sign."
Granato's message Wednesday was to ensure that recent results do not affect the Sabres' aggressive psyche moving forward.
"What we're going through in losing three games or what we went through in losing last night, is that uncommon? It's extremely common in professional sports, there's one winner and there's one loser," he said. "You know the losing team or player is always going to be disappointed.
"We're very cognizant to make sure that the scenario that happens last night is fuel, not fear."
Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Granato
3. Vinnie Hinostroza joined the top line at practice alongside Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson. Granato said Hinostroza will skate in that spot against Vegas after sitting out the past five games.
"When you think last night, you think of we probably needed a little bit more energy," Granato said. "… We didn't seem to have enough of that get-after and obviously you think of Vinnie and you say that, they go hand in hand."
Hinostroza - whom Granato has lauded for his energy in games and practices - has five assists in six games this season.
4. Forwards Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch will suit up against their former team Thursday, a year after the trade that sent them to Buffalo.
"I think any time you get to do it, it's exciting and I'm looking forward to it," Krebs said after practice.
Tuch reflected on what the experience has meant to him since putting on a Buffalo Sabres jersey.
"Super excited from day one, I think it's helped me on and off the ice as well," Tuch said. "I think there's been a little bit more opportunity here for me and a little bit of a different look than I had in Vegas."
Despite the team's losing streak, he's ready for the challenge against the Golden Knights and believes that his teammates are up for it.
"We do get excited for a challenge," Tuch said. "I think every team does and it's the first-place team in the league right now, they're playing really well, and we're gonna have to have our A-game tomorrow."
Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Tuch
5.Tuch is one of six Sabres raising money for Movember. Click the link in the tweet below to read his letter about the cause and why it's important to him.
Tweet from @BuffaloSabres: Tuchy's not only growing a robust 'stache, he's raising money for a cause that's important to him.Here's how you can get involved in Movember ������