On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Brian Hedger: Coach John Tortorella said that when defenseman Zach Werenski is ready to return to the lineup, he’ll back paired with Seth Jones. Markus Nutivaara will remain in their top four as Tortorella said he’s earned it.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Chris Ryan: Defenseman Mirco Mueller is still at least a few weeks away from returning.
On the New York Islanders …
Shannon Hogan: Defenseman Johnny Boychuk was put on the IR with a lower-body injury. He’s listed as week-to-week. The Islanders recalled defenseman Sebastian Aho from the AHL.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Best case scenario for forward Chris Kreider would be to return in six to eight weeks. Some experts told the Post that it could be longer depending on the final diagnosis and how they plan to treat the blood clot.
“The only thing I know is just before the first period, Chris felt some swelling in his arm. The docs checked him out and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary,” said coach Alain Vigneault, whose team recalled Vinni Lettieri from AHL Hartford to fill the hole in the lineup. “But between the first and the second, it got to the point where it was out of the ordinary, and so he was sent to the hospital to have it checked out.”
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins recalled goaltender Casey DeSmith, defenseman Andrey Pedan and forward Garrett Wilson. The Penguins put defensemen Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel and forward Bryan Rust on the IR.
Jason Mackey: Injury break-down and timelines.
Bryan Rust = longer-term upper-body
Chad Ruhwedel = week-to-week upper-body
Matt Murray = day-to-day upper-body
Kris Letang = day-to-day lower-body
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Caley Chelios: Defenseman Anton Stralman missed last night’s game with a lower-body injury.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Part way through the first period forward Nazem Kadri took an elbow to the head. The Maple Leafs medical staff pulled him from the game for precautionary reasons. Coach Mike Babcock didn’t think it was serious, and wouldn’t say if Kadri is in/out for tonight’s game against the Avalanche.
Slow mo and new angle on the Lawson Crouse hit on Nazem Kadri. This doesn't look good at all. He's not out for the second period; broadcast said that he didn't go through concussion protocol despite an elbow to the head. Crouse was not penalized. pic.twitter.com/iEJ5KfJ9Tt
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 29, 2017