Durzi won't 'be back anytime soon' for Utah; Tkachuk out at least 1 week for Panthers
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William Nylander did not practice with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday because of an illness, and his availability against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, BSW) is uncertain.
“It’s up in the air right now,” coach Craig Berube said. “We will see how he feels later on. I’ll find out more later but hopefully he is fine. We will see.”
The forward practiced Monday after scoring twice in 20:52 in Toronto’s 4-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
John Tavares returned to practice after missing the game against the Penguins and practice Monday because of an illness.
“It’s been a battle for a few days,” Tavares said. “Unfortunately that’s the way it goes sometimes so still kind of coming around, just getting my energy back. I lost a little bit of weight too but that’s been improving and getting better.”
As a result, Max Domi centered a line with left wing Bobby McMann and right wing Max Pacioretty. Tavares was between left wing Pontus Holmberg and right wing Nicholas Robertson.
“Great to see J.T. out there today,” Berube said. “He looked like he was low energy, it’s hard but he’s a good pro, he got out today, got a sweat and I’m sure he’ll feel better later.”
Goalie Joseph Woll skated for the second consecutive day prior to practice but departed before the main session began. He has missed each of Toronto’s first three games with a lower body injury.
“He’s improving,” Berube said. “Went out there again on the ice today. No issues after yesterday on the ice which is great news. There’s a good chance he could be with us in practice tomorrow morning.” — Dave McCarthy
Sean Durzi is expected to miss extended time after sustaining an upper-body injury in a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday, general manager Bill Armstrong said.
“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be back anytime soon,” Armstrong told KSL Sports radio in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.
The defenseman has two assists in four games with Utah this season.
Durzi led all Arizona Coyotes defensemen in points last season with 41 (nine goals, 32 assists) in 76 games.
Utah (3-1-0) visits the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; Utah16, Victory+, KCOP-13) in the finale of a four-game road trip.
“Durzi is a big piece, we’re going to have to find a way to replace (him), whether that be somebody that’s here with us like (Robert) Bortuzzo goes in, or it’s a call up,” Armstrong said. “You’re never going to replace him, but we’re going to have someone go in there and try and basically patch up the best way we can.” — Dan Arritt
Joel Edmundson returned home for personal reasons and is questionable to play at Toronto on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, BSW).
The 31-year-old defenseman has one assist and is averaging 21:09 of ice time in three games. He signed a four-year, $15.4 million contract ($3.85 million average annual value) with Los Angeles on July 1.
The Kings are 1-0-2 thus far on their season-opening seven-game road trip.
Andreas Englund and Caleb Jones are on the road trip, and each would be available to make his season debut as part of a defense pair with Brandt Clarke if Edmundson is unavailable. — Dan Greenspan
Matthew Tkachuk will be out about one week with an illness.
The forward missed his second straight game when the Panthers faced the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Monday. Florida visits the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, BSOH, NHLN, TVAS) and return home for games against the Canucks on Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and the Wild on Oct. 22.
“Matthew’s going to be out a week,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “I think we’re shooting for Minnesota at home a week from tomorrow.”
Florida used 11 forwards and seven defensemen against Boston.
Tkachuk has two assists in two games after scoring 26 goals with a team-leading 62 assists in 80 games for the Stanley Cup champions last season.
Center Aleksander Barkov is out 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. The Panthers captain left a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday late in the third period after sliding into the boards. — Joe Pohoryles
Macklin Celebrini hasn’t been ruled out for when the Sharks visit the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
The forward was placed on injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to Oct. 10, with a lower-body injury and is eligible to return Friday.
“It’s a week-to-week thing, and he’s working extremely hard to get back,” coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “He’s putting a lot of work into it. We’ll just kind of take it day by day. We have a really good plan from our training staff and our sports performance staff, what we want to do.”
Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, did not travel with the Sharks for games at Dallas on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, NBCSCA) and the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
“He’s in the rehab process,” Warsofsky said. “He hasn’t gone on the ice yet. I haven’t checked in with our training staff today yet, so we’ll see.
“I’m sure he’s frustrated, and it’s a learning moment for him in his career. He’s going to have a long career, and he’s going to have some injuries and things along the way that will pop up. I know he’s working extremely hard to get back as quickly as he can. He’s just taking it day by day, and it’s just part of the game of hockey.” — Max Miller
