This week’s key stories revolve around injuries and suspensions as not a single notable trade transpired in the NHL this week. Despite the lack of transactions, however, NHL teams have been busy dealing with unexpected absences. Here are your key stories from this week in the NHL:
Max Domi Out Indefinitely
Arizona Coyotes sophomore forward Max Domi will miss significant time recovering from a hand injury received in a fight with Calgary Flames’ Garnet Hathaway. Domi fought Hathaway on December 8th and left the game immediately after the fight. Domi is not known as a fighter but he will drop the gloves if necessary—something no doubt gleaned from his father Tie Domi.
Quick Out Until Mid-February
Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi expects goaltender Jonathan Quick to be out until around mid-February. Quick is still rehabilitating a groin injury sustained in the Kings’ season opener in October. The Kings have managed to keep afloat with an above-average set of performances from Peter Budaj, and Lombardi stated that the team will not overpay for goaltending help.
Kris Letang Placed On IR
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost defenseman Kris Letang for a few weeks as they placed him on Injured Reserve. Letang suffered a lower-body injury Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The Penguins have struggled without their star defenseman, losing their last two games in overtime and scoring only one goal over both games. The latest loss came at the hands of the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs where the Penguins let the Leafs take 49 shots.
Trevor Daley Out With UBI
The bad news kept on coming for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they lost another defenseman to injury. Trevor Daley is week-to-week with an upper body injury. Daley was injured in the Penguins 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The Penguins blue line depth will be tested for the next few weeks as Letang and Daley are the Pens number one and two defensemen in terms of playing time.
NHL Fines Vlasic and Suspends Hoffman and Eakin
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety issued three punishments Friday. Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman was suspended two games for crosschecking San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture in the head. Dallas Stars forward Cody Eakin was suspended four games for hitting New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Finally, San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was fined $5K for spearing Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson.