Carolina Hurricanes Centreman Jack Drury did not return to the game following an injury on Tuesday night. In the first period of the game against the San Jose Sharks, he blocked a puck which resulted in the injury. For the rest of the game, the Carolina Hurricanes were down a man due to the injury. This season, the 24-year-old centre leads all Carolina Hurricanes forwards in blocked shots, with 19.
Jack Drury will miss the remainder of tonight’s game against San Jose with an upper-body injury
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) December 11, 2024
Jack Drury Injured In Game Against Sharks
The severity of the injury and how long the young player will be out are currently unknown. If he remains out for the game against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, the likely fill-in will be Ty Smith.
In seven games played with the Hurricanes’ affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, Smith has achieved three goals and four assists for seven points. However, that also came with 23 penalties in minutes. Last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defenceman played nine NHL games. Throughout those games, he had scored one goal and three assists for four points. Additionally, he also acquired four penalties in minutes.
However, if there is a prolonged absence, there is a chance that the Carolina Hurricanes could opt to recall a player who is more accustomed to playing centre. Namely, Tyson Jost – the same player who covered Seth Jarvis’ role during his own upper-body injury earlier this season. The 26-year-old hybrid left-wing/centreman played seven games for the Carolina Hurricanes. During those games, he managed a single goal and only eight shots on net. However, he brought an impressive faceoff percentage of 61.5%, as well as seven hits. Furthermore, he did not receive a single penalty and instead sits with a +1 penalty differential.
It is still up in the air on what the next few games will look like in the wake of the latest injury. All around the best thing would be for the injury to not be too severe. However, the Carolina Hurricanes have decent options if needed.
Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images
