Apr 19, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Adam Pardy (27) dives to try to deflect a shot by New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) as Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth (1) defends the net during the third period at the First Niagara Center. Rangers beat the Sabres 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres are officially out of the running for a Playoff spot. Friday night the New York Rangers got a few lucky bounces, and a few good goals, and well let’s just say they out worked the desperate Sabres. However, there may be some positives in this sad season.

The 8-4 loss highlights the needs for better talent and a team with more heart.  At times the Sabres look flat  and a bit lost. There were moments when the Sabres played the desperate style of hockey needed, but sadly it wasn’t enough. That sadness will be one thing fans remember about this season.

There are  positives that can come out of this mess of a season.  The Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres have some younger talent that may get the chance to showcase their skills on the NHL ice.  Hopefully this messed up season can have a silver lining, and give the Sabres and their fans a glimpse of the future. At times this year the Sabres have looked like an AHL team, and now there is a good reason for them to use their AHL team and get the future Sabres some NHL experience.

Over this shortened season the Buffalo Sabres have given fans very little to cheer for, or to look forward to. Let me be the first to say, maybe next year. Next year’s Sabres may look nothing like this years, or at least the names on the jerseys should look different.  With only three games left this could be Ryan Millers swan song, Thomas Vanek’s future is unknown as well.  The Sabres have two possible NHL goaltenders David Leggio, and Matt Hackett sitting Rochester. Fans may very well see one of the two of them between the pipes next year. The Americans also have some offensive power that the Sabres may tap into come next year. Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons are two forwards that the Sabres should bring up next year. If that comes true, there may be little need to keep Vanek , and maybe let them be able  to finally show Stafford the door.

While the Sabres year is coming to an end, and this season will be forever remembered as one of the biggest disasters in Sabres history, there is hope. It may take a few years, and it may take a complete front office overhaul, but the Sabres have the draft picks, and young players needed to start the rebuild. This offseason will be one fans watch closely. Once the ice melts, the real challenges will start. It’s time to buckle down and get to work.

Mar 16, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest injury news today seems to be out of Ottawa where Jared Cowen participated in practice today. According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray said that Cowen skated on his own for the last 4 or 5 days so he suggested Cowen join the group. Murray also said that this does not mean he is close to a return, he may return in late April but it is still unclear.

TSN.ca had a report on the Pittsburgh Penguins injured. Evgeni Malkin is apparently very close to returning to the line up which is good news for the Penguins. Bad news for the Penguins is that Kris Letang has a broken toe and Marc-Andre Fleury, who left last night’s game in the third period, has been complaining of a sore neck. Letang has been placed on IR.

NHL.com reported on a couple of injuries as well. Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres has an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated today to see if he will be missing any games. Also the Phoenix Coyotes have placed Mike Smith on IR with an upper body injury. Smith has not played since getting hit by Alexander Edler in the Coyotes game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Mar 8, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) passes the puck against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Oilers 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal reported on the status of some Edmonton Oilers players heading into tonight’s game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will likely still be out tonight with the flu. He missed Wednesday’s game and didn’t practice with the team yesterday. Eric Belanger however has recovered from the groin injury that caused him to miss the last two weeks and is said to be in the line up tonight.

According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune Marian Hossa did not practice yesterday and is not likely to play in Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said its an upper-body injury:

 “(Hossa’s) doing alright,” Quenneville said following Friday’s practice at Johnny’s IceHouse West. “Hopefully he’ll get on the ice on Sunday. He’s progressing.”

Patrick Sharp did skate yesterday but is still one or two weeks away from returning according to Tracey Myers of CSN.

Andy Strickland said that T.J. Oshie is expected to play for the St. Louis Blues tonight. Thomas Vanek is also expected to play tonight for the Buffalo Sabres according to John Vogl of the Buffalo News. Bob Mckenzie and Micheal Smith both reported on the status of Carolina Hurricanes goalie Dan Ellis yesterday. He got 17 stitches for a cut that just missed his MCL and will likely miss a week or two. San Jose Sharks will be without Ryane Clowe tonight but he hopes to be back on Monday as reported by Kevin Kurz yesterday. Brent Wallace said Marc Methot should be ready to go today and Ian Mendes said Sergei Gonchar will be in Ottawa Senators pre game skate today and will decide if he’s ready for the line up. Also according to the Toronto Maple Leafs twitter account Leo Komarov will be out for 7-10 days with an upper-body injury.