NHL Player News

Metsa was assigned to AHL Rochester on Monday.

During his first taste of NHL action, Metsa didn't earn a point in four appearances with Buffalo while contributing one shot on goal, two blocked shots, one hit and a plus-3 rating. His return to the minors opens a potential roster spot for the Sabres to activate Michael Kesselring (lower body) from injured reserve ahead of Tuesday's game against Columbus.

Ristolainen (triceps) remains 4-6 weeks from returning to the lineup, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports reports Monday.

Ristolainen's timeline likely means he will get back into the lineup in early December. The 31-year-old blueliner has already missed eight games to start the year. Noah Juulsen and Adam Ginning figure to continue seeing plenty of work on the third pairing while Ristolainen is on the shelf.

Sandin (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Sandin will miss his third straight game against Dallas on Tuesday, but he will be eligible to come off the IR list versus the Islanders on Friday. However, it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. Sandin has contributed two assists, four shots on goal, 10 blocked shots and 16 hits through seven appearances this season.

Miller (lower body) isn't expected to play against Vegas on Tuesday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Miller will miss his third straight game, but he's close to returning to the lineup despite sitting out Monday's practice. However, it's unclear if he will be an option for Thursday's game against the Islanders. Miller has supplied two goals, two assists, 14 shots on net, eight blocked shots and six hits across six appearances this season.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that Bryson could clear the concussion protocol ahead of Tuesday's game against Columbus, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

The 27-year-old has been in the league's concussion protocol for just over a week, but the defenseman could be an option for Tuesday's matchup. Over five appearances this year, Bryson has logged an assist, four blocked shots, a hit and two PIM while averaging 9:28 of ice time.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that he anticipates Kesselring (lower body) playing Tuesday against the Blue Jackets, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

The Sabres will wait to see how Kesselring fares during Tuesday's morning skate before officially determining his status, but he appears to be trending toward making his regular-season debut. The 25-year-old appeared in all 82 regular-season games for Utah last year, recording seven goals, 22 assists, 87 hits, 67 blocked shots and 89 PIM while averaging 17:41 of ice time.

Tanev (upper body) could return by the end of this week, Anna Dua of Sportsnet reports Monday.

Tanev has missed the last two games while on injured reserve due to his upper-body issue, and while he'll be unavailable for Tuesday's game against the Flames, he could return Wednesday against Columbus or Saturday against Philadelphia. He appeared in each of the Maple Leafs' first seven games of the season, racking up an assist, eight blocked shots, two hits and a plus-3 rating while averaging 17:42 of ice time.

Romanov (upper body) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Boston but will travel with the Islanders during their upcoming three-game road trip and is expected to play at some point, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

Romanov has missed the last four games due to his upper-body injury, but he's drawing closer to a return. While he'll be unavailable for at least one more matchup, he'll likely be able to suit up Thursday against Carolina or Friday against Washington. Adam Boqvist and Marshall Warren have filled in on the Islanders' blue line in Romanov's absence.

Sandin (upper body) will not make the trip for Tuesday's road game versus the Stars, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Sandin will miss his third straight game due to his upper-body issue. Prior to getting hurt, the 25-year-old blueliner was still looking for his first goal of the season, though he's registered only four shots over seven games, which doesn't make it easy for him to find the back of the net.

Bjornfot was assigned to AHL Charlotte on Monday.

Bjornfot hasn't seen any NHL action yet this season. He was a healthy scratch in seven straight games with the Panthers after being recalled from the AHL on Oct. 13. He has appeared in only one contest in the minors this campaign, and he didn't earn a point.