The Vegas Golden Knights have activated forward Brett Howden from injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old Howden is set to return to the lineup tonight against the New Jersey Devils, centering a line with Jonas Rondbjerg and Phil Kessel. He’s missed the last two months and 27 games with a lower-body injury.
Before missing the latter half of the season, Howden had just a goal and two assists in 21 games. It’s a step back for the youngster, who seized a more significant role last season when injuries struck the Golden Knights. In 2021-22, he matched a career-high nine goals and added 11 assists for 20 points in 47 games.
Howden is with his third NHL organization after the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him 27th overall in 2016. However, he never played a game for the Lightning, as he was shipped to the New York Rangers in the blockbuster Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller trade in 2018.
He is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason after his one-year, $1.5MM contract expires, but with continued poor production post-injury, he may not see a qualifying offer from Vegas.