Buffalo Sabres defenceman Mattias Samuelsson will require surgery to address an upper body injury, with the recovery timeline expected to keep him out for the remainder of 2023-24.
Samuelsson, who had missed 4 of the last 6 contests dealing with the injury, was hopeful to avoid a surgical procedure, but in consultation with team doctors ultimately landed on going under the knife in an effort to be fully healthy for the start of next year.
The 23 year old blue liner was in the first season of a new 7 year, $30M contract which carries an AAV of $4.29M. Only 23 years old, the 6’4″ defender is viewed internally as a key piece of the Sabres defence, alongside Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Currently sitting 11pts back of Tampa Bay for 3rd place in the Atlantic Division, the loss of Samuelsson is a tough blow for a Buffalo team looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2010-11. Not known for his offensive production, the Philadelphia native has been a steadying presence on the back end for a Sabres team known to give up goals in bunches over the last several seasons.
With 7 points (1G, 6A) across 41 games this year, Samuelsson was on pace to setting a new career high in both goals and assists this year. Unfortunately, with surgery now required to correct the injury, it marks the 4th time in the last 4 years that the left shot defender will fail to play anywhere close to a full compliment of games for Buffalo.
“He got injured in [his] last game,” Granato told reporters following Sunday’s practice. “He’s had lingering injuries just by virtue of how he blocks shots and finishes hits, and your body is always banged up and sore. But this was an injury that happened in the game. He was not dealing with this injury prior to it the other night. He was dealing with different soreness, but not the injury we’re speaking of now. It’s going to take surgery.”
Samuelsson has suited up for just 12, 42, 55, and now 41 contests since he debuted in 2020-21 for the club. However when healthy, his impact can be felt in all facets of Buffalo’s game, especially on the penalty kill.
“He plays with his heart, and he plays so hard out there,” Rasmus Dahlin said. “So, stuff happens, you can’t really control it. It sucks for him. He doesn’t deserve it.”
Buffalo is next in action Tuesday evening against the Dallas Stars in a 7pm ET showdown.
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