‘Nothing serious,’ but injury ices Eakin
Third-line center is listed as day to day
The Golden Knights have largely had a healthy offseason, but 10 days before opening night center Cody Eakin’s status is in question.
Eakin, who did not skate Sunday or Monday and was ruled out for Monday night’s preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche, has a lower-body injury that’s “nothing serious,” according to coach Gerard Gallant. He is considered day to day. Gallant wouldn’t say if he would be ready for the Knights’ first regular-season game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 4.
“I sure hope so,” Gallant said. “I don’t know.”
Eakin, 27, had 27 points last season mostly centering the Knights’ third line.
Extra ice time nice time
Knights prospect Erik Brannstrom has played in each of the team’s first five preseason games, the only member of the team to do so. So far the 19-year-old, who has four points and a shootout goal in the preseason entering Monday, doesn’t mind the
extra ice time.
“It’s fun. It’s nice to play hockey,” Brannstrom said. “It’s fun to be out there and do what I like.”
The youngster’s skill has made it hard to take him off the ice anyway as he adjusts to skating with NHL players. “He’s just getting better,” Gallant said. “He’s playing with confidence every game so the more games he plays the better he plays and I think he’s played every game so far with us. He’s been real good.”
Odds and ends
Former Knights defenseman Luca Sbisa signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders.
Dylan Ferguson was named the Western Hockey League’s goaltender of the week.
Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bensgotz on Twitter.