A few minutes ago, we learned that striker Emil Heineman was hit by a car. He will miss the next few weeks of activities.
Obviously, it’s a hard blow for the young man, who was off to a good start and who, like everyone else, did not deserve to be hit by a car while he was a pedestrian.
He must not find it funny.
But it’s also a hard blow for the Canadian. The club had a productive young man who was in a good seat for him within a fourth line and there was nothing that could break the trio.
The proof? When Michael Pezzetta replaced Patrik Laine, he officially played on the second line – for the few minutes he spent on the ice during games.
For tonight’s game, we know that – if all goes well – 10 of the 12 regulars on offense will be there. Heineman will be out and it’s unclear whether Alex Newhook, who has the flu, will be there.
Will Michael Pezzetta play? Is a guy recalled from Laval on his way to Salt Lake City? According to Renaud Lavoie, no recall is expected today, which means that Pezz will play. And if Newhook can’t play, the club will go to seven defenders, apparently.
Because he drops to only 12 attackers, the Canadian will not really have the choice to add one (especially since Michael Pezzetta is the 12th) for the rest of things. The sooner this happens, the better.
I don’t exclude that the CH quickly recalls someone just for the match in Dallas on Thursday. But it’s not a certainty either if the club doesn’t feel the need.
But who will ultimately take Heineman’s place?
I expect CH to keep its lines intact and that the recalled player (if Newhook is healthy) will be a fourth line player. That’s why I don’t expect to see Joshua Roy replace Emil Heineman.
Even if he is the Rocket’s best scorer and point guard, the fourth line is absolutely not his role. Same thing for Alex Barré-Boulet or Owen Beck, by the way.
Jared Davidson, Lucas Condotta, Florian
These are the ones I think could fight for a recall. It would obviously be different if it was a top-6 winger who had been hit by a car yesterday in Utah.
Note that I do not expect to see Rafaël Harvey-Pinard receive the call from GM Kent Hughes.
in burst
– Good listening.
– Quebec: women’s hockey is more popular than the Kings. [JdeM]
– Logic.
– To be continued.
