While he was expected to be out until at least November, Blue Jackets forward Max Domi has progressed quicker than anticipated in his recovery from shoulder surgery back in June to the point where he could be ready for next week’s season-opener. To that end, the team announced today that he’ll be in their preseason finale tonight against Pittsburgh to assess his readiness to start the season. The injury plus his $5.3MM cap hit resulted in Columbus leaving him unprotected in expansion with Seattle shying away. While Domi’s long-term future with the team remains somewhat uncertain after a tough first year with them, it looks like he’ll have a full season or very close to it which should help his value on the open market next summer and in the trade market in the months to come.
More from the Metropolitan:
- While the Hurricanes haven’t yet started extension discussions with Vincent Trocheck, GM Don Waddell told John Matisz of The Score that they do intend to sit down at some point to try to work out a long-term deal. Trocheck’s first ‘full’ season in Carolina was a strong one as he notched 43 points in 47 games last season so it’s understandable that they’d want to keep him around. However, youngsters Martin Necas and Jesperi Kotkaniemi – both natural centers – are in need of new deals as well next summer and it’s possible that they could view one of them as a replacement for Trocheck if his asking price gets too high. He has a $4.75MM AAV this season and should be getting more than that on his next deal.
- Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin will be re-evaluated today after leaving Friday’s game with a lower-body injury, relays Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. He was injured in the first period on a hit on Philadelphia winger Travis Konecny.
- Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher acknowledged to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that they may start the season with a minimum-sized roster in order to bank some extra salary cap space early on. Philadelphia’s campaign begins with four games at home and with their farm team in Allentown fairly close by, they can carry the minimum knowing they can recall someone without much difficulty over that first week of the season.