It appears Saku Koivu is nursing an undisclosed injury and is possibly receiving therapy. There was a reason for Koivu not being on the ice for the OT session and shootout against the Bruins. He didn’t play a bad game and usually always plays in OT/shootout sessions……we’ll find out more after the practice.
Update (08/10/16 at 14h18):
Guy Carbonneau spoke to the media after practice and stated that Saku Koivu will be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Phoenix. He also mentioned Koivu was having a therapy day but didn’t elaborate further concerning Koivu injury.
Druing this morning’s practice session, Christopher Higgins replaced Koivu at center on a line with Guillaume Latendresse and Alex Tanguay.
I would expect Carbo will re-unite Higgins with Tanguay and Koivu but we are talking about the always unpredictable Guy Carbonneau. Leaving Latendresse (who has played well and gone harder to the net this season…..5 points in 4 games!!) on the Koivu line wouldn’t be a terrible thing with Higgins playing along side Lang and SK-74.
With that being said, I would like to see Carbo give Higgins 10-15 games with Tanguay/Koivu to build some chemistry and see what the line can do…….we’ll find out at tomorrow’s practice (if Koivu is on the ice) or Saturday night.
RDS: Le capitaine absent
You are right Habster, that Carbo is unpredictable. He often makes decisions based on the name on the sweater rather than the skill of the player. But, it would be a terrible thing to deprive Higgins of being with Koivu and Tanguay.
Higgins is a much better player than Latendresse, even on Gui’s best day. And thing is, that Lats has only played well in one game so far.
Lats goes near the side of the net and waits for rebounds. Higgins goes to the crease in the front of the net and makes things happen. Lats glides while Higgins pursues the puck. And Higgins is very responsible in his own zone. Plus Higgins has developed great chemistry with Koivu over the years. It would be a mistake to disturb that.
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