The Buffalo Sabres brought rookie defenseman Zach Metsa back to the roster Monday after a brief return to the AHL with the Rochester Americans.
Metsa, who serves as Rochester’s captain, was sent down Thursday to log heavier minutes rather than remain a healthy scratch in Buffalo. He appeared in three games over the weekend as the Americans went 2-1-0, finishing without a point before being recalled.
The 26-year-old has made a strong early impression at the NHL level. Skating primarily on the third defensive pair, Metsa has recorded two goals and six points with a plus-20 rating across his first 38 games, averaging just over 10 minutes of ice time per outing.
His impact has been especially noticeable at five-on-five, where Buffalo has outscored opponents 23-2 with him on the ice.
Metsa’s brief reassignment came after defenseman Conor Timmins returned from a broken leg, which left him out of the lineup for one game. The Sabres now have nine healthy defensemen on the roster, creating ongoing competition for ice time on the blue line.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.