The Buffalo Sabres are inching back to full health after a slew of injuries to their defense corps. Today, the team loaned Kale Clague to the AHL’s Rochester Americans, as announced by the team’s PR department.
The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington notes that Clague’s return to Rochester suggests that Henri Jokiharju is ready to play in Buffalo’s next game, a Tuesday night matchup against Vancouver. Jokiharju skated in a regular contact jersey during Saturday’s morning skate after missing three and a half weeks with a face injury.
In his time up with the big club this season, the 24-year-old Clague recorded an assist, a -2 rating, and a 15:49 average time on ice in seven contests in place of Jokiharju. He had been up with the team since October 23, a few days after Jokiharju sustained his injury.
Clague spent most of his time playing the right side alongside rookie Owen Power, directly replacing Jokiharju’s spot in the lineup. Despite some hiccups, the pairing did well together, generating a good amount of chances for the Sabres.