NHL Thread Because There Isn't An NHL Thread

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New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock will miss the next four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Wednesday.

The 27-year-old seemed to be in pain after blocking a shot and then limping to the bench during the second period of Monday's clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to The Athletic's Arthur Staple. He played just over two minutes in Monday's final frame and didn't suit up for Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Pulock's absence is a huge blow for New York's defense corp. He eats up a ton of hard minutes for the team, averaging 21:07 of ice time per game. He's registered two points over 12 contests this season and leads all Islanders defensemen with 34 blocks.


New York has stumbled to a 5-6-2 record to start the campaign. The Islanders host the Calgary Flames on Saturday, which will be the first game ever played at UBS Arena.
 
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Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, interim head coach Andrew Brunette said Wednesday, according to NHL.com's Jameson Olive.

Barkov doesn't need surgery but will require rehab, Brunette added.

The 26-year-old took a knee-on-knee from New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield on Tuesday night. Mayfield received a five-minute major and game misconduct on the play but won't face any further discipline for the incident, reports The Athletic's Arthur Staple.


Here's a look at the play:

Barkov, one of the game's premier two-way centers, leads the Panthers with 17 points over 15 games this season. Here's how Florida's lines project to shake out in the reigning Selke Trophy winner's absence:


The NHL has never suspended Mayfield in his eight-year career, but he drew the ire of Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos during the 2021 playoffs for his cross-check on Nikita Kucherov.
 
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Ryan Ellis' first season with his new team hasn't gone according to plan thus far.

The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman will miss an additional four-to-six weeks after aggravating a lower-body injury, head coach Alain Vigneault said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman.

Ellis has suited up in just four of Philadelphia's 14 games this season. The 30-year-old missed nine straight contests with a lower-body injury and then returned to the lineup last Saturday before he aggravated the ailment and sat out of the team's next game.


The Flyers initially listed Ellis as week-to-week after getting re-injured.

Ellis doesn't need surgery at this point and will treat his injury through rest and rehab, said Vigneault.

In an attempt to bolster their blue line, the Flyers acquired Ellis from the Nashville Predators this past offseason for Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick.

Ellis has been productive when healthy this season, producing a goal and four assists over four games. He's also been reliable defensively, as his expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five is the best among Philadelphia defensemen, per Natural Stat Trick.
 
Cole Caufield is back with the big club.

The Montreal Canadiens recalled the sniper from the AHL's Laval Rocket on Thursday, the team announced.

Alex Belzile has been assigned to the AHL in a corresponding move.


Caufield was demoted to the Rocket 10 games into the NHL season after recording just one assist with Montreal. However, he seemed to regain his offensive form in the AHL, collecting two goals and three helpers in six contests.

The 20-year-old was tremendous last season for the Habs during their miracle run to the Stanley Cup Final, potting four goals in 10 regular-season games and producing 12 points in 20 postseason contests.

The Canadiens drafted Caufield 15th overall in 2019.
 
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