Alex Tuch will make his Buffalo Sabres debut Monday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Don Granato announced Sunday, according to team writer Jourdon LaBarber.

Tuch, 25, was a key piece of the November trade that sent former Sabres captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. He hasn't played this season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

The native of Syracuse, New York, grew up a Sabres fan, and his first game with the club will be in Buffalo.

"He's ready to go. He's as excited as anybody I've seen to play a game - because it's here. Because he's putting that jersey on," Granato said.

Originally a first-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Tuch joined Vegas in the expansion draft and posted 139 points in 249 games with the franchise.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.