In today’s edition of Ice Chips, we bring you the latest injury news and roster updates from around the NHL. Let’s start off with the Ottawa Senators, where forward Josh Norris is not taking part in the morning scrimmage. This absence allows Wyatt Bongiovanni from Group 3 to slide into his spot on the practice lines.
Norris, who last played on Feb. 27 before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, had an impressive season with 16 goals and 30 points in 50 games. His absence in today’s scrimmage raises some concerns about his road to recovery and readiness for the upcoming season.
Moving on to the Carolina Hurricanes, forward Steven Lorentz is also missing from practice this morning due to an upper-body injury. TSN’s Mark Masters reports on Lorentz’s situation, noting that the 28-year-old is at training camp on a professional tryout agreement. Lorentz’s contributions to the Florida Panthers last season were evident, with one goal and two assists in 38 regular season games. In the playoffs, he stepped up with three points in 16 games as the Panthers clinched their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. The setback with his injury raises questions about his availability for the upcoming season.
Shifting our focus to the Toronto Maple Leafs, defenceman Simon Benoit is back on the ice after missing yesterday’s session for the birth of his first child. Benoit, who had five points in 64 games in his first season with Toronto in 2023-24, signed a three-year extension with the team earlier this year. His return to practice today shows his commitment to the team and a strong desire to continue making an impact on the ice. Benoit’s pairing with Timothy Liljegren in Group 2 sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting day of practice for the Maple Leafs.
Meanwhile, Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues his partnership with Jake McCabe for the second day in a row, showcasing their chemistry and understanding on the ice. The defensive pairing of Ekman-Larsson and McCabe brings stability and experience to the team, setting a solid foundation for the Maple Leafs’ blue line.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from training camps across the NHL in the next edition of Ice Chips. Get ready to dive deep into the world of hockey with the latest news, analysis, and developments as teams gear up for the start of the season. Let the excitement on the ice unfold as players push themselves to the limit in pursuit of glory and victory.
