(Raleigh, North Carolina) Martin St-Louis’ decision is significant. With Jordan Harris ready to return after missing 15 games, it would have been easy to scratch Jayden Struble from the lineup, or even hand him over to the Laval Rocket.
Struble will, however, be stationed to the left of Harris. It is therefore Johnathan Kovacevic who will have to skip his turn on Thursday evening against the Carolina Hurricanes.
St-Louis indicated that it was more the brilliance of his rookie than the veteran’s shortcomings that guided his decision. Stated another way: Struble, by “his behavior on the ice,” forced his hand.
“He showed a lot of consistency and commitment,” said the coach after the morning training on Thursday. He deserves to stay in training. […] We will continue with him, he shows us that he is capable. »
Kovacevic’s star had already started to fade over the past few days. In six games since David Savard’s return to form on December 10, he has never exceeded 16 minutes of ice time. The 26-year-old right-hander will miss his first meeting since the start of the campaign.
True to form, Struble remained very circumspect when asked about the vote of confidence granted to him.
He welcomes the prospect of playing with Harris, his teammate at Northeastern University, with whom he has rarely shared a duo on the ice. With Cayden Primeau in front of the net, three ex-Huskies will wear the Habs uniform in Carolina.
“It’s a great recognition for the program and its coaching staff, and for the way they develop players,” said Jordan Harris.
Fully recovered from a “lower body” injury, he said he was excited to get back into action. His five weeks of absence seemed like three months, he noted. He started training again with his teammates last week, but the medical staff didn’t want to rush anything. He believes Thursday’s match is the “perfect moment” to take charge again.
Besides Kovacevic, defenseman Gustav Lindström is the only other skater who will not take part in the game. Cole Caufield did not train with his teammates in the morning, but he will be at his post, said Martin St-Louis.
The Canadian also confirmed that striker Emil Heineman had been sold to the Laval Rocket.
