The Vegas Golden Knights could be without Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin when the NHL resumes Wednesday in Los Angeles, as the Team USA gold medalists remain delayed on their return from the Winter Olympics.
TSN reported Monday that there is uncertainty about when the American players will rejoin their NHL clubs. The team was originally scheduled to land in New York City from Italy on Monday after a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday. However, blizzard-like conditions forced a change of plans, and Team USA instead landed in Miami on Monday afternoon, continuing their celebration with a party at Club E11EVEN in downtown Miami.
Next on the itinerary is Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump has invited the team as honorary guests to the State of the Union address Tuesday. Eichel and Hanifin could potentially meet the Golden Knights there, as Vegas visits the Washington Capitals on Friday, but no decision has been made.
The eight Knights players who participated in the Olympics have been trickling back to practice. Center Tomas Hertl and defenseman Rasmus Andersson returned Monday after representing Czechia and Sweden, respectively. Goaltender Akira Schmid returned Saturday after a one-start stint with Switzerland.
It remains unclear when the Canadian contingent will return. Assistant coach John Stevens ran practice for the third straight session while head coach Bruce Cassidy is en route back after serving as an assistant coach for Canada. Captain Mark Stone, winger Mitch Marner, and defenseman Shea Theodore are also uncertain for Wednesday’s game.
Defenseman Brayden McNabb, center Colton Sissons, and winger Brandon Saad were full contact at practice Monday and appear closer to returning. Even if all three are activated from injured reserve, the Knights would have only 17 players available for Wednesday before potential call-ups.
