Early Notes: Barton, Grundstrom, Jokiharju

If you missed it last night, linesman Steve Barton was injured on a play in the Columbus-Washington game after getting his feet tangled up with Josh Anderson. Barton ended up falling awkwardly and couldn’t get up without assistance. The linesman left the game, and today Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that Barton suffered a dislocated knee cap and torn quadriceps and will need surgery.

Emily Kaplan of ESPN reminds us just how far the NHL officials go to stay in peak physical condition, profiling several in a piece from earlier this year. While Barton is expected to make a full recovery, he won’t be working any more Stanley Cup playoff games this season.

• Carl Grundstrom has made quite an impact since returning to the Toronto Marlies, and according to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) will continue to do so next season. Grundstrom told Wheeler that he’s not going back to Sweden next season, and will attempt to make the Maple Leafs’ roster or suit up for the Marlies in 2018-19. The 2016 second-round pick has developed into an all-around winger with a bit of goal scoring upside, and could potentially replace an outgoing Maple Leafs free agent. With James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov still unsigned, Toronto could have a place for the speedy Grundstrom sooner than expected.
• Among 20 notes on the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) examines top prospect Henri Jokiharju in depth and questions the fact that he’s still unsigned by the team. Leaving Jokiharju without a contract this long into his development isn’t usual for the Blackhawks, especially as he could make an NHL impact as soon as next season. Powers confirms that since the 2017 first-round pick was playing for the Portland Winterhawks on loan from his Finnish team, he can go straight to the AHL next year even as a 19-year old. Jokiharju had quite a season for Portland, recording 71 points in 63 games as one of the best defensemen in the entire WHL.