The Winnipeg Jets didn’t have an issue with Jake McCabe’s hit on Patrik Laine, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be happy with the end result.
On Sunday morning, Jets head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that the star rookie suffered a concussion on the play. There’s no timetable for his return.
“Patty’s got a concussion,” said Maurice, per the Jets. “He got tested out last night, see doctors again today. So he’ll start the stages of recovery with that. We’ll wait till the symptoms subside and then you start increasing workload and getting back on the ice.”
#NHLJets HC Paul Maurice confirms it's a concussion for F Patrik Laine. He's in good spirits, but no timetable for his return
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) January 8, 2017
Maurice also mentioned that forward Drew Stafford will be taking Laine’s spot with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers.
“It’s our best player, arguably,” Stafford said, per NHL.com. “So it’s not good any time you see a guy in that kind of a position on the ice with his helmet and the way he was. I’ve been there before, it’s not a good feeling. I don’t really want to comment on the hit, it’s not my place to do that. I just hope Patty’s OK. It’s just unfortunate.”
Laine currently leads all rookies in points with 37 and he’s tied with Leafs forward Auston Matthews for the lead in goals with 21.