Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury sustained during Sunday's 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Hanifin left the game in the third period after a hit into the boards from Sabres forward Tyson Kozak and did not return to the bench. The 29-year-old has been one of the league's more durable players, missing just 17 games since the 2021-22 season, and is currently second on the team in ice time at 20:24 per game.
Coach Ryan Craig praised Hanifin's start to the season, noting his successful transition to playing on his off side and strong chemistry with partner Jeremy Lauzon. "I thought (Hanifin) got off to a real good start to the year," Craig said. "He first came in with the mindset to starting on the right side. He accepted that and worked at it, and we saw the results of that. We're going to miss him, but it's an opportunity for someone else." Hanifin has recorded six points in 19 games this season.
That opportunity may fall to Parker Wotherspoon, who participated fully in Tuesday's practice and could return for Wednesday's game against the Utah Mammoth. Wotherspoon has been sidelined since Oct. 10 with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old, acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has zero points and a minus-6 rating in limited action. He skated alongside Dylan Coghlan in Hanifin's spot during practice.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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