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The Buffalo Sabres are taking one small step toward a completely healthy roster. The Sabres announced they’ve activated forward Jiri Kulich from the injured reserve and have reassigned forward Tyson Kozak to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in a corresponding roster move.
Kulich has missed Buffalo’s last four games with a lower-body injury but he’s back in the lineup today as the Sabres take on the Seattle Kraken. He finally cracked Buffalo’s roster out of training camp this season after a few dominant years with AHL Rochester. Unfortunately, Kulich hasn’t been as effective as the Sabres may have hoped.
Similarly to his peers on offence, head coach Lindy Ruff has tried Kulich with multiple combinations throughout the season. He’s had the most success next to Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs but has also been made a healthy scratch numerous times. Overall, Kulich has scored seven goals and nine points in 31 games in Buffalo this year averaging 13:53 of ice time per game.
Kozak returns to the AHL after going scoreless in his last four games with the Sabres. The high-motor forward will look to build upon his quality junior season in the AHL having scored six goals and 12 points in 24 games which ties his career-high from a year ago.
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Vancouver Canucks Connected To Struggling Former First Round Pick On The Trade Market
The Vancouver Canucks clearly need an upgrade down the middle, and now Trevor Beggs has hinted they may have significant interest in Buffalo's Josh Norris. This past season saw plenty of movement at the trade deadline, and while some moves paid off big, others did not, with a great example of the latter being Josh Norris acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. The talented yet injury prone centre was a key piece in a move that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators, and while the Sabres had hopes of turning his career around, thus far, the injuries have struck again as he played in just three games after being acquired. With the team looking to push back into playoff contention, they may grow impatient with Norris, and given the Vancouver Canucks desires to upgrade down the middle, it's no surprise that they've now been linked to the 26-year old. Because he's good friends and a former college roommate of Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris will always be on the trade-market radar for Canucks fans. Norris only played three games with the Sabres before getting injured following the trade deadline. If he gets off to a subpar start in Buffalo, an organization that has missed the playoffs for 14 straight years can't afford to be patient with an injury-riddled 26-year-old, can they? That speculation comes from Locked on Canucks host Trevor Beggs, who believes that Norris' talent and his connection to Quinn Hughes make him an ideal trade candidate for the Canucks, a team that have undergone plenty of roster turnover in recent times. If Norris stays healthy and the Sabres start well, it's unlikely that they'll want to move him after he combined for 35 points in 56 games a year ago, but if that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see Vancouver try and buy low on him.
Ex-Lakers Big Man Ready to Cut NBA Ties With New Contract
It was the Lakers who, eight years ago, gave center Thomas Bryant his first crack at the NBA, putting him into the lineup after acquiring him in a draft trade with the Jazz. Bryant's Lakers career did not last that long--he was gone after one season--but he came back to L.A. in the summer of 2022 after a successful stint with the Wizards. That go-round with the Lakers did not go much better than the first, as Bryant averaged 12.3 points but was traded away in a massive deal at the 2023 deadline that saw the Lakers add Mo Bamba and Davon Reed. The Lakers had two cracks at Bryant but were not able to get his best from him. Bryant has since moved on to Denver, Miami and most recently, Indiana, where he has not been a big-time scorer, but has filled a role nicely in each of his stops. But, unable to drum up a new NBA contract, it looks like Bryant's next role will come overseas. That's according to a report from Telesport, which noted that the Greek team Panathinaikos is in direct contact about getting Bryant signed. From Sportando, which points out that Jonas Valanciunas agreed to, then backed out of a contract with the team: "The American center, born in 1997, played last season with the Indiana Pacers. He has appeared in 333 NBA games throughout his career. It would be a high-level addition for Panathinaikos, who, after the breakdown of negotiations with Valanciunas, are looking for a center to further raise the quality of their frontcourt."
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons Showing Why He Was A Top 10 Pick In Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers may have struck gold with their offseason acquisition of Isaiah Simmons. The former first-round pick has wasted no time making an impression during training camp, showcasing the athleticism and versatility that once made him one of the most coveted prospects in the NFL Draft. With just a few practices under his belt, Simmons is already turning heads and making the New York Giants question their decision to let him walk. Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons’ Early Impact Isaiah Simmons has been a standout in the first week of Packers training camp, stepping up as the team’s third linebacker while Quay Walker recovers from offseason ankle surgery. On the opening day of practice, Simmons made several eye-catching plays, including a highlight moment where he shut down Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs on a screen pass. Jacobs, clearly impressed, described Simmons as “a unicorn,” adding, “He can run. We can put him out on guys in the slot, and he can cover guys. Really, man, I can’t wait to see him in pads.” The following day, Simmons continued to impress, tipping a pass from Malik Willis that led to an interception by cornerback Carrington Valentine. Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to praise Simmons, saying, “There’s a reason he was a top-10 pick. He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do.” Simmons himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to focus on a more defined role as an off-the-ball linebacker, a departure from the hybrid responsibilities he juggled with the Cardinals and Giants. “I feel like it’s been beneficial to me so far, just allowing me to really learn one thing as opposed to learning this today, something else tomorrow, and who knows the next day,” Simmons said. NFL and College Career Simmons entered the NFL as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar career at Clemson. In college, Simmons was a do-it-all defender, recording 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions in his final season. His unique blend of size, speed, and versatility earned him the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and made him a consensus All-American. In the NFL, Simmons has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His best season came in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he recorded 105 tackles, four forced fumbles, and an interception. However, his performance dipped in subsequent years, including a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Giants, where he earned a career-low Pro Football Focus grade of 45.6. Despite these setbacks, Simmons’ physical tools and potential remain undeniable. What Simmons Brings to the Packers The Green Bay Packers are hoping to unlock Simmons’ full potential by simplifying his role and allowing him to focus on his strengths. At 6’4″ and 238 pounds, Simmons has the size to take on blockers and the speed to cover tight ends and running backs. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways could make him a valuable asset in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme. Simmons’ addition also bolsters a Packers linebacker group that includes Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker. With Walker sidelined, Simmons has an opportunity to carve out a significant role and prove he can be a difference-maker for Green Bay. Teammates and Coaches See the Potential Simmons’ early performances have drawn praise not just from LaFleur and Jacobs but also from his new teammates. Safety Xavier McKinney, who played with Simmons in New York and reportedly advocated for his signing, has been vocal about his belief in Simmons’ abilities. “He’s got everything you want in a player—size, speed, instincts. I think he’s going to thrive here,” McKinney said. Final Thoughts Isaiah Simmons’ journey has been anything but smooth, but his early success in Packers training camp suggests he may have found the right fit in Green Bay. With his unique skill set and a coaching staff committed to putting him in positions to succeed, Simmons has a chance to rewrite the narrative of his NFL career. If his first few practices are any indication, the Green Bay Packers may have landed a game-changing talent—and the Giants may soon regret letting him go.
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