This is turning into a pretty forgettable road swing for the Ducks.
Having already lost David Perron to a shoulder injury, Anaheim has now returned Ryan Kesler and Simon Despres back home -- Kesler to attend to a personal matter, Despres with an undisclosed injury.
BB said Ryan Kesler is handling a personal matter back home and wasn't sure if he would return on trip.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 24, 2016
Simon Despres sent back for further evaluation, per BB. Got hit last game. Obviously had concussion earlier this year.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 24, 2016
Despres, who played just over 18 minutes in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss in Montreal, had missed 42 games earlier this season with a concussion, so it’s understandable the Ducks are taking a cautious approach with his health.
“He got hit last game and he wasn’t feeling right,” head coach Bruce Boudreau said, per the O.C. Register. “With his history, we wanted to make sure that he’s completely better before he plays.”
Kesler has 17 goals and 44 points this season, and is Boudreau’s defensive shutdown option against opposing centers. He’ll be missed.
Anaheim has three games left on its five-game Canadian swing: tonight in Toronto, Saturday in Ottawa and Monday in Edmonton.