Numminen finally touches the ice: Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen played his first game Saturday night since having open-heart surgery 6 1/2 months ago. Numminen took a regular turn, playing 16 minutes, 3 seconds in Buffalo's season-ending 3-0 win over the playoff-bound Boston Bruins. The Sabres were eliminated from postseason contention Thursday night in a 3-1 loss at Montreal. "I haven't played for many months, so I was nervous at the start with my timing," Numminen said after skating 18 shifts in his only game of the season. "As the game went on, I felt more comfortable." Thomas Vanek, who scored all three goals, was impressed. "It didn't look like he missed a beat," Vanek said. "He played a good game." (Updated 04/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Numminen, an 18-year NHL veteran and three-time All-Star game participant is in his third season with the Sabres. He was activated from the injury-suspended list and cleared to play on Tuesday. He had surgery Sept. 20 to repair a faulty heart valve, which was found during a routine checkup a week before he reported to training camp. The team then placed him on their suspended list, meaning he couldn't collect any of the $2.6 million in the one-year contract he signed in July. He had some concerns going into Saturday's game. "I was worried about my play," he said. "It was my first game back." Vanek hopes it's not his last. "Hopefully," Vanek said, "he'll be back next year." Numminen has been around the block, but has never been a big-time scorer. If he does return in 2008-09, he will be a late-round selection on Draft Day. (Updated 04/06/2008).
No information available at this time.
Numminen finally touches the ice: Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen played his first game Saturday night since having open-heart surgery 6 1/2 months ago. Numminen took a regular turn, playing 16 minutes, 3 seconds in Buffalo's season-ending 3-0 win over the playoff-bound Boston Bruins. The Sabres were eliminated from postseason contention Thursday night in a 3-1 loss at Montreal. "I haven't played for many months, so I was nervous at the start with my timing," Numminen said after skating 18 shifts in his only game of the season. "As the game went on, I felt more comfortable." Thomas Vanek, who scored all three goals, was impressed. "It didn't look like he missed a beat," Vanek said. "He played a good game." (Updated 04/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Numminen, an 18-year NHL veteran and three-time All-Star game participant is in his third season with the Sabres. He was activated from the injury-suspended list and cleared to play on Tuesday. He had surgery Sept. 20 to repair a faulty heart valve, which was found during a routine checkup a week before he reported to training camp. The team then placed him on their suspended list, meaning he couldn't collect any of the $2.6 million in the one-year contract he signed in July. He had some concerns going into Saturday's game. "I was worried about my play," he said. "It was my first game back." Vanek hopes it's not his last. "Hopefully," Vanek said, "he'll be back next year." Numminen has been around the block, but has never been a big-time scorer. If he does return in 2008-09, he will be a late-round selection on Draft Day. (Updated 04/06/2008).
