BUFFALO, N.Y. - Zach Bogosian knows first-hand how difficult it is to return from an injury; the veteran defenseman has spent much of his career in various training rooms, recovering from a wide variety of different ailments. After a two-week absence from practice, Bogosian says he feels better after recovering from a lower-body injury.

"Mentally I feel good," he says. "It’s one thing I can control. How I think and how I can stay positive and contribute when I’m not in the lineup."

"I though he looked really good, first practice back with our group," says Phil Housley, the Sabres head coach. "The practice was upbeat and uptempo. Good sign he could get through it." 

Neither Bogosian nor the Sabres will say there's a connection between Bogosian's latest injury and his hip surgery from January - the 28-year-old is taking a cautious approach during his latest comeback.

"I’d like to get a few more practices before I jump into a game," he says. "Lot of factors. Today was a step in the right direction but I’m not ready to play in a game yet."