BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres recalled center Nathan Gerbe from their AHL affiliate in Portland and expect him to play Wednesday night against Ottawa.
Buffalo's fifth-round draft pick in 2005, Gerbe is tied for second among AHL rookies with 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists) in 32 games. The native of Oxford, Mich., also had an assist during a six-game stint with the Sabres in December.
Gerbe was already in town after Portland's 4-3 shootout loss to Albany at Buffalo's HSBC Arena on Tuesday. Gerbe had a goal but was ejected by officials following a first-period brawl.
The Sabres are without leading scorer Thomas Vanek, who will miss about a month after breaking his jaw in a 3-2 loss at Ottawa on Saturday.