Coach Ted Nolan said Thursday that McCabe (undisclosed) is close to playing, John Vogl of the Buffalo News reports.

Coach Ted Nolan said Thursday that McCabe (undisclosed) is close to playing, John Vogl of the Buffalo News reports.

Analysis:

General manager Tim Murray is set to meet with McCabe later Thursday to get a clearer idea of how he's coming along from his injury, but all indications from the Sabres are that he could be ready to go at some point next week. The Buffalo blue line has been a mess in the early stages of the season, so it wouldn't be especially surprising if McCabe claimed a regular spot in the lineup immediately upon his activation.