Sabres’ Josh Norris placed on injured reserve; Alex Lyon activated

The Buffalo Sabres placed center Josh Norris on injured reserve Monday, then activated goaltender Alex Lyon off IR, according to The Buffalo News reporter Rachel Lenzi.

While there were some reports that Norris, who left the Sabres’ Jan. 14 game against the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper-body injury, would be out week-to-week, head coach Lindy Ruff said he may be back soon, adding that “this can turn around in a day or two.”

Norris, now in his second season with Buffalo, has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 19 games in 2025-26. Through seven NHL seasons, the 2017 first-round pick has 97 goals and 78 assists for 175 points in 258 career regular-season games with the Sabres and Ottawa Senators.

The Buffalo News reporter Mike Harrington said Monday there’s a good chance Lyon, who has been out since Dec. 29 with a lower-body injury, could start Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. In 21 appearances, Lyon is 10-6-3 with a .906 save percentage (SV%). Now in his ninth NHL season, the 33-year-old netminder is 61-44-14 with a .903 SV% in 134 career games with the Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers.

Buffalo prospect Konsta Helenius, who was called up by the Sabres last week, is expected to make his NHL debut Tuesday. The 2024 first-round pick has nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points in 34 games with their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

Going into Monday’s slate of games, the Sabres are 26-16-5 with 57 points, fifth in the Atlantic Division and holding onto the second Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.