Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is set to return Thursday against Philadelphia after a 14-game absence due to a lower-body injury, having previously dealt with a knee injury in preseason. Winger Jason Zucker hopes to return after the holiday break, while Justin Danforth continues to recover from a broken kneecap, and goaltender Colten Ellis will be reevaluated Friday after a concussion. In other news, Matthew Tkachuk remains uncertain for the Winter Classic as he skates individually post-surgery, Brandon Hagel is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and Milan Lucic has signed with the Fife Flyers after leaving an AHL tryout.
