Updated

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Alexander Sulzer will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right knee.

Interim coach Ron Rolston provided the update Thursday, after Sulzer was spotted walking on crutches in the locker room. Sulzer had missed eight games since being hurt when his skate got caught in a rut in a 4-0 loss to the Islanders on Feb. 23.

He had three goals and an assist in 17 games this season.

Rolston called it "highly likely" that forward Ville Leino will be ready to play against Ottawa on Saturday. Leino has missed the first 27 games with a hip injury.

Rolston added there's a "strong possibility" center Tyler Ennis will also return after missing one game with a head injury.