Thomas Vanek looking to play in season opener
After undergoing a full skating session during practice today, top line left wing Thomas Vanek looks like he will play in the Buffalo Sabres’ season opener.
Mike Harrington of the Sabres Edge asked both Vanek and head coach Lindy Ruff what they thought of the neck injury:
“Today was a good test for me and it felt fine,” said Vanek, who suffered a neck injury Thursday in Montreal. “Hopefully I can be back full time tomorrow.”
“I think today was a good step for him to get back on the ice,” said coach Lindy Ruff.
The Austrian native, who has missed a combined 19 games over the past two seasons, will look to bounce back from a season where he only potted 28 goals. During the 2008-2009 campaign, Vanek put home a tidy 40 goals after scoring 36 and 43 the season before that so the potential to bounce back seems very likely. However, that all depends on if he can manage to stay on the ice this season and consistently help his team win.