The Vegas Golden Knights will have to navigate the final stretch before the NHL Olympic break without six injured players, general manager Kelly McCrimnon confirmed. None of the six are expected to return before the league pauses for the Winter Olympics in Italy in early February.
Among those sidelined are centers Brett Howden (lower body), William Karlsson (lower body), and Colton Sissons (upper body), goaltender Carter Hart (lower body), defenseman Brayden McNabb (upper body), and winger Brandon Saad (undisclosed). The team has nine games remaining before the break.
Howden was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, prompting the recall of winger Jonas Rondbjerg to serve as an extra forward for the upcoming four-game road trip, starting Thursday against the Boston Bruins.
Karlsson has not played since leaving after the first period on Nov. 8 against Anaheim. While there are conflicting reports on his availability for the remainder of the season, he has not been placed on season-ending long-term injured reserve.
Hart suffered a noncontact injury during the Jan. 8 game against Columbus and has no timetable for return. The Knights do have a healthy tandem in net with Adin Hill back.
McNabb’s streak of 298 consecutive games ended after a collision on Dec. 31 against Nashville. Saad has been out since Jan. 8, and Sissons last played Jan. 14, leaving the Knights short two fourth-line players.
Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, acquired from Calgary, is still awaiting immigration processing and will not be available for Thursday’s game.
