Kotalik to miss opener

AP reports Ales Kotalik will be out of the lineup for the Sabres' first two games this weekend.

Kotalik "tweaked his knee" at practice last week, and appears to have suffered a MCL strain.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that Kotalik is experiencing pain in his knee and has not been cleared to skate.

"It doesn't look good for playing in the opener or this opening weekend, but I wouldn't project past that of him missing any more games," Ruff said.

Word is Ales may be back in time for next Thursday's game against Atlanta.

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The Sabres assigned three players to Rochester today: forward Marek Zagrapan, forward Mark Mancari and defenseman Michael Funk.

Zagrapan had a goal and an assist in five preseason games. Funk chipped in two assists in two appearances, and Mancari had one assist in four games.

Rochester opens their season Friday against Syracuse.