NHL News: Canucks Elias Pettersson likely done for season, and Canadiens Carey Price returns
Anthony Scultore
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Carey Price is back from his lower body injury and facing off against the Ottawa Senators. The Montreal Canadiens goalie has been out of action and missed six games. So far his return hasn’t been what he hoped for as he’s given up two goals on 11 shots. Montreal is down 2-0 early in the third period.
Prior to the game Price’s record was 12-6-5 with a 2.66 GAA and a .903 SV%.
Canucks Elias Pettersson could be done for the season
Tomorrow will mark the long awaited return of the Canucks from their COVID hiatus. One player that is doubtful to return is Elias Pettersson who is dealing with an upper-body injury since March 2.
“He’s on the ice skating now, he’s going to continue to rehab, but we don’t have a timeline yet as to when he’s going to be back, if he’s going to be back at all,” Benning said. “I was hopeful that maybe he could come back, but after the visit (to a specialist) on Wednesday, he’s going to be a little bit longer yet.”
NHL.com
There are some whispers around hockey circles that the Canucks and Pettersson may agree to shut it down for the season. The Vancouver Canucks will need to re-sign Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes this summer. According to GM Jim Benning he sees no cap issues this summer, but that means he will need to make room before locking up his two prized young players.
When it comes to making cap space for those players Patrick Johnston of The Province believes it will be in trading Nate Schmidt and Jake Virtanen. Schmidt is a 29 year-old defenseman with four years remaining at $5.95 million AAV. He will be harder to move in this economy, but I could see the Flyers blowing up their blue-line and trading for him. Virtanen drew interest from the Bruins and Ducks earlier this season and they may look to get it done on the cheap this summer. Virtanen is a 24 year-old forward making $2.55 million for one more season before becoming an RFA.
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