The Buffalo Sabres' plan was clear: Give Andrej Sekera every opportunity to succeed. They've paired him with Jaroslav Spacek, the team's top all-around defenseman. They put Sekera on the power play and are using him short-handed. They've given him more minutes than almost anyone.

So as Sekera nears the midway point of his first full NHL season, what's the verdict so far? Not bad, with room to improve.

Sekera hasn't made many people forget Brian Campbell, but he's not reminding anyone of Andy Delmore, either. Sekera has a goal and 11 assists after going without a point in the Sabres' 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders on Saturday, and his 12 points are tied for eighth on the team.

"He's getting better and better," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think we've seen glimpses of him offensively handling the puck and doing things with the puck, and I think that area can still be better. But defensively, I've liked his game, not that he hasn't struggled at times. But offensively we still think there's more."

Sekera has been quiet offensively for the past month. He has scored just two points (one goal, one assist) in his last 16 games.

"There's lot of things I need to improve on," said the 22-year-old Sekera, whose main objectives are to join the rush more and get shots through traffic. He is averaging just 1.28 shots per game, but had three Saturday.

"I've got used to the skating, the up-and-down type of game," he said. "When you've got a good tempo, I think I can help more with the offense. Getting shots through is pretty important, too, because now everybody is blocking and the points are more open. There are shooting lanes, and you've got to find a way to get it in."

Sekera and Spacek have done well keeping the puck out of their net, especially considering they are normally going against the opponents' top scorers. Though Sekera has produced just one even-strength point during his 16-game offensive slide, he is only minus-4.

"He's playing smart," Spacek said. "I think in the beginning he tried to do a little too much, but now he's starting to play smarter."

Sekera is also smart enough to know all the ice time he's getting is a glorious opportunity. Going into Saturday, he was averaging 22:12 per game, second to Spacek's 23:00.

"I'm just happy about it," he said. "I can't complain about ice time. I can't complain about opportunities. I'm on the power play, I'm killing penalties, I'm on five-on-five. I'm just glad for those opportunities, and I'm trying to make the best of them."

. . .

Injured forwards Patrick Kaleta (neck/head), Nathan Gerbe (upper body) and Tim Connolly (rib) joined their teammates for an optional morning skate Saturday. Kaleta and Gerbe are closest to returning.

"I think any time you get them on the ice they're getting closer," Ruff said. "I have no set date. I think you're looking at maybe by the new year.

"Tim is, I think, still a ways away. He's partial right now. He's not even full go."

Center Paul Gaustad (upper body) skated on his own. To make room for Saturday's arrival of Tim Kennedy, the Sabres placed Gaustad on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 17. Defenseman Craig Rivet (shoulder) was scheduled to be re-evaluated Saturday night.