BUFFALO, N.Y. - Justin Bailey missed practice Wednesday but the Sabres' blue-line got a boost. Justin Falk returns after missing a month with a lower body injury. He played 52 games with the Sabres last year and he's excited to get back on the ice.

"You really get into your rhythm in the preseason, with camps and conditioning and all that," he said. "I'm really excited to get things going. Setbacks happen, and you have to stay positive and do what you can to work hard and get ready."

Last year's 52 games was a career-high for Falk. Sabres coach Phil Housley said Falk could make his season debut as soon as this weekend. Fellow defensemen Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges and Nathan Beaulieu missed practice Wednesday.