As expected, the Golden Knights will welcome back winger Mark Stone to their lineup tonight, notes Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The 32-year-old wound up missing 14 games overall due to a pulled muscle, stalling what was a very strong start to his season. Stone had six goals and 15 assists in 13 games prior to the injury, putting him among Vegas’ top scorers along with linemate Jack Eichel. With them being off for five days after this game, this is a good chance to test him while ensuring he’ll have ample time off to make sure he’s fully healthy. Prior to his activation, the Golden Knights had two active roster spots so no corresponding transaction needed to be made.
More from the Pacific:
- Sharks center Will Smith is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s game versus Florida, relays Max Miller of The Hockey News. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky indicated that the rookie is dealing with an upper-body injury but wasn’t sure when it happened. Smith is off to a decent start to his NHL career, posting five goals and six assists while averaging a little over 14 minutes a night as San Jose tries to ease him in to an extent.
- Kraken center Yanni Gourde missed tonight’s game versus New Jersey with an undisclosed injury, per NHL.com’s Mike Morreale (Twitter link). The 32-year-old has four goals and eight assists in 27 games so far while averaging just 15:29 per night, his lowest ATOI since the 2019-20 campaign when he was with Tampa Bay. Gourde missed the final 17 minutes of action on Thursday night while the injury is not believed to be a long-term issue.
- Flames prospect Zayne Parekh has been added to Canada’s World Junior camp roster as first reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie (Twitter link). Calgary drafted the blueliner ninth overall back in June following a dominant showing with OHL Saginaw that saw him record 33 goals and 63 assists in 66 games. He’s at a slightly lesser pace this season but still has eight goals and 22 helpers in 23 appearances. Parekh will take the place of Penguins prospect Harrison Brunicke who was initially named to the camp roster but won’t be able to participate due to injury.
Vegas must have thought the playoffs started last night.
That sounds a bit cynical. Obviously he needs to get in playing shape for the 4 Nations Face-Off… so he can: play, get injured, make it back for the playoffs.
The moneyline on that parlay is currently at -380.
Why do you and your clan always get worked up over Vegas using the collectively bargained rules of the salary cap?
Are you worked up?
I’m not worked up?
There is a long human history of “rules” that the most morally bankrupt of individuals could hide the worst forms of treachery behind. You tell yourself whatever you need to. I don’t need a CBA to wipe off the mirror I look into every morning.
When trade rumors was bashing how bad smith was playing just weeks ago about how bad will smith was and how he was not ready for the show. I was the only one on here defending him and how he was ready and he was looking better every game. I told you so