Oft-injured Buffalo Sabres centre Tim Connolly will miss at least the first week of the season after tests revealed he has a hairline fracture of a vertebra.Coach Lindy Ruff characterized the break as minor, and said Connolly could be cleared to play within a week after the play-making centre missed the Sabres season-opening 2-1 shootout win over Montreal on Friday. Connolly has been out since appearing in Buffalo's second pre-season game, a 3-2 loss to Montreal on Sept. 23. Source: Sportsnet
