If the NHL season does start on Jan. 19, Adam Henrique won’t be ready for it.
That’s the news out of New Jersey on Thursday as NorthJersey.com reports Henrique’s surgically repaired left thumb will require 3.5-4 weeks of rehab before he’s fit to play.
A finalist for last year’s Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, Henrique tore his ulnar collateral ligament while playing for AHL Albany in late November. He had his cast removed this week, but will need time to strengthen the hand.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said Henrique’s healing process has gone well thus far.
It’ll be interesting to see how rehab goes for Henrique, especially in light of what happened to Devils’ teammate Jacob Josefson two years ago.
Josefson suffered the same thumb injury and proceeded to miss nearly three months -- 30 games in total -- before returning to the New Jersey lineup.