The Buffalo Sabres announced that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson would not return to today’s matinee game against the Vancouver Canucks.
Samuelsson took an elbow to the head from Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek. Samuelsson logged 7:25 minutes of ice time. The Sabres were forced down to four defensemen after Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin went to the locker room. Dahlin eventually returned, but Connor Clifton would then block a shot and head down the tunnel. Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons was allocated to defense.
The 23-year-old has tallied one goal and six assists for seven points in 38 games. Samuelsson has struggled with injuries this season, leaving games in both October and November with lower-body and upper-body injuries.
Buffalo is set to face off against the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Coach Don Granato should have an update on Samuelsson post-game or Sunday.
In 2022, the Voorhees, New Jersey product signed a seven-year, $30 million extension with the Sabres that kicked in this season and the contract carries an average annual value of $4.2 million.
After being drafted in the second round by the Sabres in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Samuelsson spent two seasons playing college hockey with the Western Michigan Broncos, scoring seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points over 65 games.
Samuelsson played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and was part of their silver medal-winning squad at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in British Columbia. He was the captain of the team for the 2020 World Juniors.
He made his professional debut in 2020-21 with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. He made his NHL debut with the Sabres in April 2021 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Samuelsson has three goals and 26 assists for 25 points in 147 career NHL games.
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