Alexander Kisakov
The practice session was fast-paced and fierce, as expected, but it all came to a standstill when Aleksandr Kisakov collided with the boards. Kisakov lay unmoving against the boards for a few moments before the players went over to check on him.

Members of the third Sabres group assisted the injured Russian prospect to his feet. He carefully walked over to the bench, and to my amazement, he sat on the end of the bench rather than walking down the tunnel.

After a full check-in with the trainers, Kisakov returned to the ice and promptly resumed the drill.

Simon-Pier Brunet

Just as the onlookers could breathe a sigh of relief regarding Kisakov, Simon-Pier Brunet caught an errant shoulder to the chops. He immediately removed his glove and did the habitual check for blood. It looked like he found what he expected, as he replaced Kisakov’s now vacated spot on the end of the bench in front of the training staff.

The staff attended to the injured Brunet, who missed the Sabres Prospects Challenge with an unspecified ailment. As hockey players are accustomed to doing, he returned to the ice and finished practice with the group.

Anton Wahlberg & Brendan Warren
The Sabres maintained their competitiveness and effort level as they shifted to an in-zone two-on-two drill. Anton Wahlberg and Brendan Warren collided violently, causing a loud thud and a collective “whoa” from the players and viewers in the arena.

Wahlberg landed hard on the ice, but Warren took the brunt of the impact when the two collided, sending him skidding across the ice and into the boards. Both players took their time getting up, but they quickly returned to their respective lines for the practice.

Viktor Neuchev
As a bystander, I felt the goal for the rest of practice would be to simply get through it healthy. The urgency persisted, however, until shifty forward Viktor Neuchev was sent crashing over the netminder and into the net.

Neuchev delivered highlight-reel dekes throughout the practice, supported by linemates Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen.

The defender’s check was one that some would consider unnecessary, while others would praise for “setting the tone”.

However, no player celebrated this strike when Neuchev’s face appeared to smash with the post. The trainers were promptly signaled for. Neuchev then left the ice and walked down the tunnel with a towel over his face.

I thought this would be the last straw. Since this was the final drill, I assumed the coaching staff would call the practice. Instead, one of the development coaches scraped the spot on the ice where Neuchev’s blood was. The Sabres completed the drill.

Neuchev did not return to the ice until the session’s final minutes, and no updates were offered.

Lindy Ruff and his coaching staff
I’d like to stress that the wounded Sabres were not the responsibility of anyone or the way the practice was organized. Yes, Lindy Ruff’s practice atmosphere helps to elicit some competitiveness and energy from his players. However, these were primarily unintentional and freak accidents.

Even the hit on Neuchev, which is out of character for routine practice, frequently results in the player hitting the netting awkwardly. The fact that he crashed partially with the post was undoubtedly not his plan.

Given the intensity of the occurrences, I wouldn’t be surprised if all five players are on the ice for tomorrow’s practice. Aside from scrapes, bruises, and cuts, Neuchev’s condition is the most worrying. and the one to monitor.

Regarding any news that may arise from this, I will have more for you on Friday. If you haven’t already, follow me on X at @PuckLuckJay for real-time updates.