In a pre-game skate, the spotlight was on F Juraj Slafkovsky, who was spotted on the ice alone before the team’s morning practice session. TSN reporter Kenzie Lalonde brought attention to Slafkovsky’s solo skate, hinting at a potential injury concern for the Slovak forward. This comes after Slafkovsky had an apparent shoulder injury in practice the previous week, but he still managed to contribute two assists in the Canadiens’ recent shootout loss to the New York Islanders.
Despite his on-ice performance over the weekend, Slafkovsky’s absence from team practice raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming game against the New York Rangers. The former first overall pick has had a decent season so far, tallying one goal and six points.
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk was part of an optional morning skate with the Florida Panthers, signaling a possible return to the lineup against the Minnesota Wild. Tkachuk had been sidelined for the last five games due to illness but showed promise with two assists in his limited game time this season.
In other news, the New York Islanders made a roster move by recalling forward Liam Foudy from their AHL affiliate, Bridgeport. This move comes as Julien Gauthier, who cleared waivers after Anthony Duclair’s injury, was sent down to Bridgeport as a corresponding move. Foudy, who had four assists in five AHL games, signed a one-year deal with the Islanders in the offseason after spending most of last season with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
As the hockey world turns, these player movements and injury concerns continue to shape the landscape of the NHL. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses.