Sabres’ Michael Kesselring Vows to Prove Himself After Injury Setback: “I’m Ready to Go”
"I know I was a big acquisition this summer and really feel this is a year I can prove myself. But it just got to the point where I was going to hurt myself more."
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is determined to bounce back after a frustrating injury kept him sidelined since Oct. 1. Acquired in a key offseason trade, Kesselring, 25, was eager to prove himself but faced an unexpected setback during his first training camp with the team. Despite initially thinking the injury was minor, it soon became clear that continuing to push through would only make things worse.
“I didn’t think it was going to get that point, but I definitely didn’t want to miss new systems and everything,” Kesselring said. He acknowledged the significance of his acquisition and the opportunity to prove himself, but ultimately made the decision to take a step back and fully recover.
After a few weeks of recovery, Kesselring is finally skating again and feels much better than when the injury initially occurred. He’s aiming to return to the ice next week, though he’s taking a cautious approach to ensure he’s fully ready for the long season ahead.
“I feel really good now,” Kesselring said. “It’s just nagging me a little bit still, so just a little longer. But I’m getting pretty close. We’re going to take our time and make sure I’m fully ready to go. I don’t want to be dealing with it all year.”
Kesselring, who is expected to pair with Sabres star Owen Power, is determined not to let this setback define his season. Having never missed games due to injury before, this experience has been a new one for the young defenseman, but he remains focused on getting back to full health.
As Kesselring prepares for his return, the Sabres are also monitoring a few other players. Winger Jason Zucker, who left Wednesday’s win over the Detroit Red Wings with an upper-body injury, is expected to be in the lineup for tonight’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defenseman Jacob Bryson, who recently suffered a concussion, has also rejoined the team for practice.
In other news, the Sabres have assigned 18-year-old defenseman Radim Mrtka to his junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, after a solid start with the Amerks. While Mrtka’s development continues, coach Mike Leone praised the young defenseman’s work ethic and coachable attitude.
As for Kesselring, all eyes are on his recovery. The Sabres are eager for him to return to full health, and with the right-shot defenseman expected to play a key role alongside Power, his return will be crucial to Buffalo’s defensive depth moving forward.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur offers daunting Aaron Rodgers scouting report
If 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers has shown any sign of slowing down, or regressing, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t seen it in his preparations for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
LaFleur, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and the Packers will need to limit Rodgers’ big-play ability in the passing game and create chaos in the pocket around him if Green Bay is going to fly home with a fifth victory in tow.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur remains impressed by Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has made no secret his desire to get revenge on his former team, ahead of the Packers vs. Steelers showdown, and he has been a driving force behind Pittsburgh’s run to the top of the division standings.
The former Packers MVP-winning quarterback has passed for 1,270 yards with 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions, looking markedly improved over the version of himself that emerged from a disappointing tenure with the New York Jets.
“He looks like he can still do anything,” LaFLeur told reporters this week. “It’s surprising for such an old man he is still moving around pretty good, too.”
Creating pressure on Rodgers, and getting him moving–if not forced into mistakes might be most important for the Packers. However, LaFleur cautions his team against taking Rodgers likely, despite his age and that he’s well into the twilight of his career.
“It’s really, really, really difficult,” LaFleur said. “The best way to beat a quarterback is to get him on his back. I tell our guys all the time, it’s hard to throw when you’re on your back. So, our pass rush is going to have to be on point, we are going to have to do some things in our coverages and sometimes, you’ve got to hit in terms of what you’re calling vs. what they’re calling.”
