Buffalo Sabres Prospect To Miss 2 Months Due to Injury

After being selected in the 2nd round, with the 41st pick overall in 2022, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for Buffalo Sabres goaltending prospect Topias Leinonen.

It's been revealed that he's suffered an injury this summer that will keep him on the sidelines into early October, and will miss the beginning of his 2023-24 season. 

Sabres prospect Topias Leinonen has an injury that will keep him out until October. It's been a rough go for him since he was a 2nd-round pick last summer.

Durability a major concern at this point. He's a candidate to play for Finland at World Juniors. https://t.co/5sdqvWHSnF

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) August 28, 2023

The undisclosed injury will keep the 19-year-old out for about two months of the Finnish season, according to a report. 

Leinonen's had a rocky couple of summers, as he also suffered an injury at Sabres Development Camp last July after being the first netminder selected in the 2022 June Draft.  As noted by Sabres beat writer Lance Lysowski, durability is already a concern at this early stage for the hulking 6-foot-5, 234-pound netminder. 

And when he has played, it hasn't been up to the standards expected. In junior in Finland this past season, he finished with a mediocre .885 save percentage. 

Photo: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports