Metropolitan Notes: Kane, Hischier, Ristolainen
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported today on The Drop that unrestricted free agent forward Patrick Kane reportedly would like to make another run with the New York Rangers but at this point Rangers general manager Chris Drury has been apprehensive due to the team’s lack of cap space as well as the chemistry they’ve build under head coach Peter Laviolette.
Kane was unhappy with last season and his inability to be healthy due to his hip injury. According to Kaplan, Kane felt like he played most of the season on one leg and never had a chance to be an impact player.
Kaplan didn’t rule out the possibility of Kane returning to the Rangers but said that if he were to return it would be similar to last season when Kane essentially forced a trade to the Rangers. Obviously, this wouldn’t be a trade, but if Kane was willing to take a low salary, he could force the Rangers hand as the upside of signing the three-time cup winner might be too much for the Rangers to ignore.
In other Metropolitan notes:
- New Jersey Devils reporter Amanda Stein tweeted that center Nico Hischier will travel with the club but will not dress in tomorrow night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old returned to practice yesterday signalling that his return could come soon as he battles his way back from an upper-body injury he suffered on October 27th in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. The Devils have struggled with Hischier out of the lineup, going 4-5 in his absence. The 2017 first-overall pick struggled to start the year with just two goals in seven games but had a career year last year with 80 points in 81 games.
- Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia is reporting that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was in a regular jersey at practice today, indicating that he can take contact. Ristolainen’s return to a regular practice jersey signals that he is close to making his season debut for the Flyers as he has been on the shelf since suffering an undisclosed injury during training camp. When he is healthy enough to play, the Flyers will need to activate him off LTIR and make room available on their active roster which will likely mean a demotion for a player such as Louis Belpedio.
Atlantic Notes: Quinn, Greig, Kastelic, Walman
Still working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered in late June of this past summer, Jack Quinn is making significant progress in returning from injury. There still is no firm timetable for his return, but Mike Harrington of Buffalo News Sports confirmed Quinn was practicing in full pads before the team’s practice today.
The recovery timeline for Achilles tears is anywhere between five and six months, meaning Quinn could reasonably return by next week, or even towards the end of the calendar year. Nevertheless, the fact that he is practicing is positive news for the Buffalo Sabres, who could certainly use his skill back in the everyday lineup.
In 75 games played last year, Quinn scored 14 goals and 23 assists, finishing eight on the team in scoring, and 12th in Calder Trophy voting. Quinn likely could have scored quite a bit more last season, but he was limited in his usage by head coach Don Granato, only averaging around 14 minutes of ice time per game.
Other Atlantic notes:
- The Ottawa Senators could be getting some reinforcements back into their forward core, as Bruce Garrioch of TSN reports Ridly Greig and Mark Kastelic were seen practicing today on their own. Both players have been on the injured reserve since November 2nd, and both have been considered week-to-week. Of the two, Greig has been one of the most impressive young forwards on the team, scoring two goals and five assists in nine games.
- In the Detroit Red Wings loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in their second game of the Global Series in Sweden, defenseman Jake Walman would leave the game with an injury, and his status was unknown up until now. Sean Shapiro of EP Rinkside reports that Detroit plans on using seven defensemen tomorrow night against the New Jersey Devils, meaning Walman will not miss any time due to the injury.
Canadiens Recall Mattias Norlinder; Place Jordan Harris On IR
In earlier reporting today, it was discovered that Montreal Canadiens’s defenseman, Jordan Harris, would be out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. With a full 23-man roster, the Canadiens have chosen to place Harris on the injured reserve, giving them the ability to recall defenseman Mattias Norlinder from their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
Harris completed his first full rookie campaign last year for Montreal, scoring four goals and 13 assists in 65 games. Harris joins a growing list of young and promising Canadien defensemen and is playing on the first year of a tw0-year, $2.8MM extension signed last February.
Although Harris joined the team for their loss on Saturday at the hands of the Boston Bruins, he had actually missed the last couple of games before that with an upper-body injury. Seeing his playmaking ability slip a bit compared to last season, Harris has three assists in 16 games played this year, as well as carrying a -7 rating.
In Harris’ absence, Norlinder will get the opportunity to slide into the lineup over the next several games. He has not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 regular season, tallying one assist in six games for the Canadiens.
As the 64th overall selection by Montreal in the 2019 NHL Draft, Norlinder has played in 87 games for the Rocket over the last three seasons, scoring four goals and 19 assists in that time. Playing for Frolunda HC during his draft year, Norlinder has yet to see his strong skating ability or vision separate him from the pack in the AHL up to this point.
Not much of a playmaker during his time in the SHL, Norlinder had always been a strong defender at every level before making the jump to North America. If he is able to get back into the Montreal lineup during the callup, Norlinder will have to bring some of that expertise back into his game to have any staying power.
Cody Glass Placed On Injured Reserve; Out Week-To-Week
Last night, the Nashville Predators made an impressive comeback against their Central Division rival, the Colorado Avalanche, scoring two goals in the final minute of the game to earn the victory. Unfortunately, in his fourth game back after recovering from a lower-body injury, forward Cody Glass left the game with just over two minutes left in the third period.
In an update this afternoon, the Predators announced that Glass would be headed back to the injured reserve, this time with an upper-body injury. Looking to build on a strong 2022-23 regular season, Glass is struggling to stay healthy early in the season.
Last year, Glass had somewhat of a breakout season compared to the rest of his career, suiting up in 72 games in Nashville, scoring 14 goals and 21 assists. In the three seasons prior, Glass played in 74 games total between the Predators and the Vegas Golden Knights, only mustering nine goals and 14 assists.
There was some injury concern earlier in Glass’ career with the Golden Knights, as he missed one month of the 2019-20 regular season with a leg injury, before finally having his season ended by a knee injury in early March. However, since his arrival in Nashville, the same injury concern has not plagued Glass until this year.
This year, when healthy, Glass has played in nine out of a possible 17 games for the Predators, adding his first point on the year via an assist in last night’s contest against the Avalanche. Moving forward, as they have operated for the majority of their games this season, the team will be without Glass at the center position for the foreseeable future.
Penguins Place Rickard Rakell, Chad Ruhwedel On IR
1:16 p.m.: Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review relays that Rakell and Ruhwedel have been placed on injured reserve.
12:43 p.m.: Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan issued multiple injury updates Tuesday morning, the most pressing being that forward Rickard Rakell is out “longer-term” with an upper-body injury. Sullivan also relayed that defenseman Chad Ruhwedel is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury. At the same time, winger Bryan Rust missed practice today to be evaluated for a lower-body injury.
It’s unclear when Rakell sustained the injury, but if his performance is any indication, he’s been playing through it for a while. The Swedish winger has struggled mightily this season, posting just four assists through 17 games despite playing top-six minutes, frequently alongside Evgeni Malkin on the team’s second line. Rakell has been somewhat inconsistent throughout his 668-game NHL career, but a dry spell like this is quite rare for him – especially after hitting the 60-point mark last season for the second time in his career.
The Penguins acquired Rakell from the Ducks in a March 2022 trade, giving up a rather significant haul of depth forwards Dominik Simon and Zach Aston-Reese, high-end goalie prospect Calle Clang, and a 2022 second-round pick that the Ducks used on defenseman Tristan Luneau, who managed to crack Anaheim’s roster out of camp just one season post-draft. After impressing with 13 points in 19 games down the stretch for the Penguins in 2021-22, then-GM Ron Hextall inked him to a six-year, $30MM deal with a $5MM cap hit. Rakell’s production as a Penguin has largely been worth the contract – 32 goals, 45 assists and 77 points in 118 games – but the team hopes his recent dry spell isn’t a sign of things to come for the life of the deal.
It is worth noting that despite Rakell’s lack of goal-scoring, his possession numbers have been strong. His -2 rating is a testament to his lack of offense, not defense – his 56.6% Corsi share at even strength is third among Penguins forwards behind Sidney Crosby and Radim Zohorna.
Ruhwedel has been a member of the Penguins organization since signing during free agency in 2016, and he’s remained a valuable depth option at the bottom of their defensive lineup. A nagging injury to Pierre-Olivier Joseph has meant extended playing time for Ruhwedel this season, and he’s been a healthy scratch just twice throughout their 17-game schedule. The 33-year-old is in the final season of a two-year, $1.6MM deal and has one assist and a -3 rating.
His absence leaves the Penguins with only five healthy defensemen on the active roster and will necessitate a roster move, which will likely be activating defenseman John Ludvig off LTIR. The early-season waiver claim sustained a concussion in his first NHL appearance against the Stars on October 24 but has been on a conditioning loan to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since last Thursday, making two appearances and recording a shot on goal. Multiple reports indicate Ludvig was on the ice for practice Tuesday morning and will likely return to the Penguins’ lineup Wednesday against the Rangers.
Sullivan did not issue any timeline on Rust’s injury, which likely occurred during game action against the Golden Knights on Sunday. He did not leave the game, however. The 31-year-old has seen top-line duties alongside Crosby and Jake Guentzel this season and is amidst a rebound year, posting nine goals and 16 points through 17 contests after scoring 46 points in 81 games last season.
Missing both Rakell and Rust will create a domino effect throughout the Penguins’ forward lineup, an unfortunate blow for a team that’s 6-4-0 in their last ten games after a lagging start to the season. Sullivan told reporters today, including Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that Jansen Harkins, Vinnie Hinostroza and Alexander Nylander will be in discussions to ride shotgun with Crosby and Malkin in Rakell’s and Rust’s absences. Only Hinostroza, who is day-to-day himself with a lower-body injury, is currently on the active roster. Harkins and Nylander are currently on assignment to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and the team would need to place Rakell and/or Rust on LTIR to accommodate a recall.
Canadiens’ Jordan Harris Out Indefinitely, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard Out 6-8 Weeks
Canadiens defenseman Jordan Harris will be out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, per a team announcement Tuesday. Harris has left the team’s California road trip and has returned to Montreal for “further testing and a thorough evaluation of his condition,” and the team will make a corresponding recall from AHL Laval later today. Additionally, after placing him on IR yesterday, the Canadiens confirmed that winger Rafaël Harvey-Pinard will be out of the lineup for six to eight weeks.
The Canadiens’ 23-man roster is full, so Harris will need to be moved to either IR or LTIR to facilitate a recall.
Harris, 23, is among the group of promising young Canadiens defenders, seeing his stock rise after a strong collegiate showing through four years at Northeastern. His rookie season in 2022-23 was solid, seeing him post 17 points and a relative Corsi share of 2.4% at even strength in 65 contests. The natural puck-mover has struggled to make as much of an impact this season, however, logging just three assists in 16 contests while seeing his possession numbers dip.
This is Harris’ second injury-related absence of the season. He’d missed two out of the Canadiens’ last three games with an upper-body injury but returned to play over 21 minutes in the Canadiens’ loss to the Bruins last Saturday. The Massachusetts-born defender is in the first season of a two-year, $2.8MM extension signed in February.
The news solidifies that Jayden Struble will enter the lineup tomorrow against the Ducks and make his NHL debut. A second-round pick of the team in 2019, Struble has six points in 12 games with AHL Laval this season and will slot in on the third pairing alongside Gustav Lindström.
A lengthy absence is a tough break for Harvey-Pinard, who’s struggled to find his footing in the Habs’ lineup this season. After ending last season hot with 14 goals and 20 points in 34 contests, the 2019 seventh-round pick has failed to light the lamp this year and has four assists in 13 games.
Damon Severson Out 6 Weeks With Oblique Injury
Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson sustained an oblique injury in Sunday’s game against the Flyers and is set to miss approximately six weeks, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a release. Severson has not been placed on IR, but nevertheless, the team reassigned forward Trey Fix-Wolansky to AHL Cleveland in a corresponding transaction.
This is the second major injury for the Blue Jackets in the early going of 2023-24, as Severson joins forward Jack Roslovic (ankle) on the injured list. Both were given a six-week recovery timeline from their initial injuries. It’s still a far cry from the injuries that decimated Columbus last season, especially among their defense corps.
Severson sustained the oblique injury in a failed dive attempt to keep the puck in the offensive zone, which led to a shorthanded goal by the Flyers’ Ryan Poehling. Set to be an unrestricted free agent last summer, the Blue Jackets acquired Severson in a sign-and-trade with the Devils that saw the 29-year-old earn an eight-year, $50MM deal.
He was off to a decent start in Columbus, recording eight points through 19 games, averaging nearly 21 minutes per game and leading Blue Jackets defenders with a +1 rating. He’d posted an incredibly strong relative Corsi share of 5.6%, meaning the Blue Jackets’ already poor possession stats are likely to dip even further without Severson in the lineup.
In a small silver lining, Severson’s absence should provide more opportunity for a pair of young right-shot defenders to get some more ice time from now until the New Year. 23-year-old Adam Boqvist and 19-year-old David Jiříček moved up to the first and second pairings, respectively, in practice today, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch. Both have averaged under 14 minutes per game, and appearances have been limited – especially for Boqvist, who’s been a scratch in 14 out of 19 games for Columbus this season.
Meanwhile, Fix-Wolansky heads back to the minors after making just one appearance during his recall, logging zeros across the scoresheet in 12:32 of ice time against the Coyotes last Thursday. He’d been a healthy scratch in two straight contests. The diminutive winger is off to a scorching hot start in the minors, leading the team with four goals, 12 assists and 16 points through 11 games.
Injury Notes: Harpur, Hollowell, Lizotte
The Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, shared a pair of updates on injured defensemen. The team most notably shared that Ben Harpur will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing pectoral surgery. Hartford head coach Steve Smith also shared that Mac Hollowell is also out with injury, but the team is hopeful he’ll be able to return this week.
This is a heavy blow to a Rangers’ depth chart that extended Harpur to a two-year, one-way contract in January of last season. The contract carries an annual cap hit of $787.5K and provided a reward in the midst of Harpur’s first year in New York. He finished last season with 42 NHL games played, two points, and 20 penalty minutes. The defender has started this year in the minors, playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. He’s recorded three points, two penalty minutes, and a -1 through seven games with the team this season.
Hollowell is another blow to the Rangers’ options, if he’s out for longer than this week. The 25-year-old is in his first year with the Rangers organization, after spending the last five with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hollowell has proven productive in his AHL experience this year, netting 10 points in 10 games and recording a +5. It’s a continuation off of his productive 2022-23 season, which saw him score 13 points in 18 AHL games and two points in six NHL games. His season was, however, cut short by a fractured kneecap that required surgery.
Other injury news:
- The Los Angeles Kings have announced that Blake Lizotte will miss the team’s Monday night game with an undisclosed injury. The forward left the team’s most recent matchup against the St. Louis Blues in the third period and didn’t travel with the team on their two-game road trip to Arizona and Anaheim. No official timetable for his return has been provided.
West Notes: Vilardi, Harley, Benning
Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi is nearing a return to action from an MCL sprain that’s cost him the last 14 games. Associate coach Scott Arniel said today that Vilardi will travel with the team on their upcoming three-game road swing through Tampa Bay, Florida and Nashville and is an option to play during the trip.
The 24-year-old has played in just two full games this season, sustaining the injury early in the team’s third contest of the year against his former team, the Kings, on October 17. Vilardi was the main aspect of the trade return from Los Angeles in exchange for center Pierre-Luc Dubois this summer. After a strong camp, Vilardi had earned himself a spot in the team’s top six, registering an assist through his first two contests while playing over 20 minutes per game. A first-round pick of the Kings in 2017, injuries have largely delayed Vilardi’s development, but he still managed a career-high 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games last season. He remains on injured reserve, and the Jets will need to open a spot on the 23-man roster to activate him.
Other notes out of the Western Conference to open the holiday week:
- Stars defenseman Thomas Harley will remain out of the lineup tonight when they host the Rangers, Brien Rea of Bally Sports Southwest reports. The 22-year-old is sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained November 12 against the Wild on a hit from forward Brandon Duhaime and is listed as day-to-day. This will be Harley’s third straight absence after playing in 14 straight games to start the season. The team’s 2019 first-round pick is looking quite at home in the NHL, posting five points and a +2 rating while averaging 17:24 per game.
- After getting Jacob MacDonald back in the fold earlier today, another injured Sharks veteran is on the precipice of a return to the lineup. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports defenseman Matt Benning could come off IR before Wednesday’s game against the Kraken. Benning will miss his ninth straight contest tonight against Vancouver with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old has played in eight games this season, recording an assist and a -6 rating in 18:29 of average ice time.
East Notes: Hischier, Meier, Nosek, Chabot, Kuznetsov
The Devils are inching back to full health among their complement of star forwards. Captain Nico Hischier, who remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, returned to practice today, per the team.
Hischier hasn’t played in over three weeks, last appearing in the team’s October 27 contest against the Sabres. He’s missed the following nine games due to injury and landed on injured reserve last week in order to create room on the Devils’ 23-man roster. This doesn’t confirm Hischier will return to game action in time for the Devils’ next game, a Wednesday contest against the Red Wings, although it is a good sign that he’s nearing a return. Hischier can be activated from IR at any time, given he’s missed more than seven days since the injury occurred. The Swiss center had just two goals and no assists in seven contests this season.
Also in New Jersey, NHL.com’s Mike Morreale relays that forwards Timo Meier and Tomáš Nosek are absent from practice today, both with injury concerns. Meier, 27, remains away from the team with a lower-body injury that’s kept him out of the last two games, and he remains listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile, Nosek left Saturday’s contest and did not return after taking a jarring hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba. It appears to be an upper-body injury for the Czech depth forward, who’s played in just six of 15 contests this season due to injuries. He’s still looking for his first point as a Devil after signing a one-year, $1MM deal with the team in July.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference on this Monday morning:
- Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot has returned to practice in a non-contact jersey today, albeit for a skills session, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch reports. Chabot is in the third week of the four-to-six-week recovery timeline issued for his right-hand fracture sustained on October 26 against the Islanders and looks on track to return within the early portion of that frame. He has not met the requirements to be activated off LTIR yet, however. Chabot must miss two more games until he can return to the lineup, putting his earliest possible return on December 1 against the Blue Jackets – over a week and a half from today. The Senators have certainly missed their $8MM man on the blue line, who has three assists and a -1 rating in seven contests this season while averaging 24:19 per game.
- From one country’s capital to another, Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov returned to practice Monday morning, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. Kuznetsov was absent from the team’s Saturday game against the Blue Jackets and its preceding practice with an undisclosed illness. The Russian center is in the seventh season of an eight-year deal carrying a $7.8MM cap hit, and his offensive production is off to a mediocre start for a second straight season. Playing over 21 minutes per game, Kuznetsov has three goals and eight points in 14 contests in 2023-24.