Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Ruff surprised Roy needed surgery, Regier says he could have played through it

Derek Roy

Derek Roy #9 of the Buffalo Sabres receives high fives from the bench after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Honda Center on February 29, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (February 28, 2012 - Source: Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)

Shortly after the Dallas Stars acquired Derek Roy from the Buffalo Sabres, it was revealed that he would undergo shoulder surgery. That procedure is expected to sideline him until late November -- which is especially discouraging news given that we’re talking about a guy who is trying to rebound from a disappointing season.

As Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News pointed out, Roy might not have missed any time had he been operated on when the Sabres season ended in April. However, it sounds like Buffalo didn’t think the procedure was necessary.

“I’m very confident in the decision by our medical staff,” Regier said. “He played with it last year and he could have played with it again this year. It was a decision by the Dallas Stars. It’s as simple as that. We were very comfortable with his situation.”

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was surprised that Roy needed shoulder surgery, according to Buffalo News Sabres beat writer Mike Harrington.

Roy was limited to just 44 points in 80 games last season, so I have to wonder if his shoulder problem was negatively affecting his game. If that’s the case, then maybe this operation will actually increase his odds of bouncing back despite the fact that he’ll miss training camp and the first chunk of the season.