Vegas Golden Knights forward, Max Pacioretty, will be staying back from the bubble in Edmonton. The 31-year-old winger did not participate in the team’s last four practices due to injury. He is expected to join the team once healthy.
Max Pacioretty did not travel with the Golden Knights to Edmonton.
Peter DeBoer said he suffered a minor injury in training camp, and it’s taking longer than they initially anticipated. Said he would join the team when he’s ready.
NOW I’m concerned. #VegasBorn
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) July 27, 2020
Pacioretty Out With Injury
One day after the 24 teams reported to the hub cities in Edmonton and Toronto, it was announced that Pacioretty hasn’t travelled to the hub with his team. The left-winger played a full season in Vegas, passing the 60 point mark for the sixth time in his 12 year career. Pacioretty was unable to practice all of last week due to an injury he sustained the week prior.
In a comment made by Knights head coach, Peter Deboer, he expects the team’s leading scorer to rejoin the team once he is healthy. The winger will have to adhere to league policy about entering the bubble before joining his teammates. He must have four negative COVID-19 tests upon his arrival at the hub in Edmonton. He also has to quarantine to his room until the tests are deemed adequate for his return.
What This Means for the Team
Pacioretty was the team’s leading scorer with 66 points on the season. Losing his scoring ability during the round-robin tournament the team will be playing in isn’t monumental. However, if he is out for longer than the three round-robin matchups, things could get chaotic for the lineup. The most likely candidate to replace Pacioretty on the top line is Jonathan Marchessault. This also leaves room for a guy like Tomas Nosek to see some postseason minutes in a bottom-six role.
The Knights play an exhibition game against the Arizona Coyotes on July 30. They then go on to play in the Western Conference round-robin tournament to decide their seeding in for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
