Bylsma said the injury does not require surgery.

"When you see on the replay and you see how it unfolded and what happened, it could have been a lot worse," Bylsma said in First Niagara Center. "It’s not as bad as it could’ve been."

Kane had one goal and two assists in the opening eight games, but the numbers don't do justice to his impact. He is second on the Sabres with 28 shots and was averaging 20:18 of ice time.

"A lot of the speed and a lot of the tenacity and a lot of our drive, he’s been that for our offense," Bylsma said. "He doesn’t quite have the numbers, but yes, he’s been that for our team. Someone else gets a chance to do that now."