The upper-body injury that landed Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko on injured reserve is one that has been lingering for a little while and could keep him out for a while, reports Mollie Walker of the New York Post. It has been a disappointing third season for the 2019 second-overall selection who has managed just 14 points in 37 games although the fact he was playing through this could at least play a small role in his sluggish start. Head coach Gerard Gallant indicated that the 20-year-old is currently listed as out week-to-week.
Other injury notes from around the NHL:
- The Lightning will be without defensemen Zach Bogosian and Erik Cernak for the next three games, relays Joe Smith of The Athletic (Twitter link). Bogosian is dealing with a lower-body injury while Cernak’s hasn’t been disclosed yet. Both blueliners will be re-evaluated after that stretch which suggests they’ll be out at least a little longer beyond that point.
- Sabres winger Kyle Okposo has resumed skating but is not with the team on their road trip which begins tonight in Ottawa, notes Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald. The veteran is working his way back from an upper-body injury and has actually been one of Buffalo’s better offensive players this season as he ranks fourth in team scoring with 23 points in 37 games.
- Avalanche defenseman Ryan Murray skated in a non-contact jersey on Monday and is getting close to returning to the lineup, mentions Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. The veteran has missed five straight games with an upper-body injury and his return would be a welcome one with there being no timetable for Bowen Byram’s return.
Getting late out early for these top picks, isn’t it?
Lafreniere can at least use the “stuck on the third line” excuse, but Kakko has played a fair amount of top 6. Have either shown that they will live up to their billing?
Neither have. All these complaints about Jack Eichel being this and that and not worth draft status but look at these 2! Neither are worth where they’ve been drafted so far by any stretch lol. Just goes to show how media and clueless people just really don’t know wtf they’re talking about. Heck for Eichel I wouldn’t have taken both of those 2 no-shows without 1sts added.
I’m sure all this rambling made sense in your head but I can’t make heads or tails of whatever you were trying to get at. Are you trying to say you are happy that the sabres didn’t trade Eichel for both of them? If that is your point than I would recommend waiting 3 more years and see if you still feel that way.
If the Rangers could go back in time they’d probably rather have the ping pong ball than the player.
Don’t watch as many games as I wish I could do someone feel free to enlighten me. But, kreider leads the league in goals, rangers are right near the top in nhl standings, where’s the major problem here. I get it they should have better stats, but if they other main players are contributing so well they may just be drowned out in the stat sheets if that makes any sense. Vs if they were playing on a sub 500 team with less great scorers. Regardless, I do think kappo needs to get it going here when he’s back. Rangers are post season bound, see if either of them show up when the big games come around.