Paul Gaustad is in, while Adam Mair is out $2,500.

Gaustad will make his season debut for the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning in HSBC Arena. The center has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on his thumb in the preseason, but he got through practice fine today and is expected to skate on the fourth line with Andrew Peters and Patrick Kaleta.

"I'm ready to be back," Gaustad said. "I've been working hard at staying in shape, staying in playing shape."

Mair has been fined $2,500 for an altercation near the Ottawa dressing room near the conclusion of Monday's loss to the Senators.

"It was dealt with by the league, and I'm just looking forward to playing on Thursday," Mair said.

Defenseman Henrik Tallinder was the only Sabre who did not practice in the Amherst Pepsi Center. Coach Lindy Ruff hopes Tallinder, who suffered a cut on the inside of his ankle, will be back by the weekend. Mike Weber will take Tallinder's place Thursday for the second straight game.