Rinne practices
Adam Vingan: Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne practiced yesterday. He is eligible to come off the IR at any time now.
Paul Skrbina: Predators coach Peter Laviolette wouldn’t say how close Rinne could be to returning but being at practice was a “step in right direction.”
Krug takes some contact
Joe Haggerty: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward David Backes weren’t at practice yesterday. Both are out with upper-body injuries.
Defenseman Torey Krug took part practice yesterday and took some contact.
Hedman unlikely to play today
Joe Smith: Tampa Bay Lightning Jon Cooper doesn’t think that Victor Hedman‘s injury is long-term and that a concussion didn’t come up.
Joe Smith: Coach Cooper indicated that defenseman Hedman will likely be out today against the Coyotes. The Lightning don’t see Hedman’s issue as a long-term issue.
There was no update on forward Ondrej Palat who was hurt blocking a shot in the third period of their last game.
Neuvirth returns
Sam Carchidi: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth returns to the Flyers lineup and will start today.
Pettersson and Boeser is close to returning
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green said that both Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser are “pretty close” to returning. Pettersson has been cleared for contact.
“It’s just protocol and making sure he (Pettersson) is feeling comfortable getting in,” added Green.
Defenseman Alexander Edler will have an MRI on his knee. Edler got tangled with Max Pacioretty during the first period of Wednesday’s game.
MacKenzie to have shoulder surgery
George Richards: The Florida Panthers put forward Derek MacKenzie on the IR. When the Panthers return from Finland MacKenzie will have shoulder surgery.
Dermott out with an illness
Lance Hornby: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott will miss a few more days with an illness.
Eriksson Ek loses no-contact jersey
Sarah McLellan: Minnesota Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek shed his no-contact jersey at practice.
