BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Sabres center Paul Gaustad will miss up to
the first three weeks of the regular season after he had surgery to
repair a torn ligament in his right thumb Tuesday.
Gaustad, entering his fourth NHL season, was hurt during Buffalo's 2-1 shootout loss to Minnesota on Sunday. He had one
goal in two games this preseason and was expected to provide a
physical presence on the Sabres' second or third line.
Buffalo continues its preseason schedule at Minnesota on
Wednesday in preparing to open the regular season against Montreal
on Oct. 9. Gaustad is expected to be out for up to a month.
The Sabres identified Gaustad as one of their core players this
summer when they re-signed him to a four-year $9.2 million
contract. Buffalo's seventh-round draft pick in 2000, Gaustad is
coming off a solid season that included career highs with 10 goals,
26 assists and 36 points in 82 games.
Also on Tuesday, the Sabres assigned 11 players to the minors
and loaned forward Philip Gogulla to Kolner Haie of the German
Elite League. Defenseman Tyler Myers, selected 12th overall in this
year's draft, was also returned to his Canadian Junior team,
Kelowna, of the Western Hockey League.
Demoted to AHL Portland were forwards Tyler Bouck, Jimmy
Bonneau, Colton Fretter, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Derek Whitmore, Felix
Schutz and Colin Murphy; defensemen Mike Card and Mike Kostka; and
goaltenders Jhonas Enroth and Adam Dennis.
Bouck and Bonneau must first clear waivers.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)