The Buffalo Sabres are shuffling their blue-line once again. After yet another injury to defenseman Josh Gorges, the Sabres recalled training camp darling Brendan Guhle from the Western Hockey League on an emergency basis.
As for Gorges, the extent of his injury is unkown, but he is scheduled to get x-rays done in the next few days.
WNY native Cole Schneider has 4 goals in 3 periods. He scores again making it 1-0 Team Blue. Nice play by Guhle to start play #Sabres pic.twitter.com/eb4Fn4vksD
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2016
Guhle, 19, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (51st overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
This season Guhle has cooled off, at least compared to his last season in juniors, but still has seven points in 19 games with the Prince George Cougars.
WATCH: Brendan Guhle forces OT with under a minute to go in regulation as Prince George takes a Tuesday decision at Vancouver pic.twitter.com/K0ZGJiag7l
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) November 30, 2016
In a bit of a surprise, Guhle was left off Team Canada’s training camp roster leading up to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships later this month.
Bove’s Take
I love the move because there’s not a ton of risk involved. Buffalo needs someone to play on the blue line and right now the Sabres feel more confident in Guhle, than in any of the defenders left in Rochester.
WATCH: Prince George D Brendan Guhle strokes a one-timer for a power play tally in a 6-3 loss at Portland. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/jG1Lwx0zoA
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) November 28, 2016
Guhle showed some flashes of brilliance during training camp, along with the Sabres Prospects Challenge this summer. No one really thought he would outright make the team, but the consensus from most around the Sabres is that this kid is the real deal.
Guhle just led a rush and it nearly ended in a goal. Gorgeous. Took puck from one end to another, passed it and got the feed back #Sabres
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 17, 2016
He gets pucks to the net and flies up and down the ice like a meerkat. Sometimes, Guhle pinches a little too much, and he needs to make smarter decisions, but for a 19-year-old defenseman that’s expected.
