ANAHEIM — Expectant father and Ducks forward Adam Henrique has been on “high alert” for the last week or so, awaiting word from his wife Lauren.
It was especially nerve-wracking when the Ducks were on the road last week in San Jose and Vancouver and again at San Jose. Henrique felt a measure of reassurance once they returned home, within close reach, even at the team’s charity golf event on Monday.
He practiced on Tuesday but was not in the lineup against the Wild because the birth was said to be imminent. Henrique had a slow start – one assist in the first nine games – but rediscovered his scoring touch, scoring four goals in his past four games, including two against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 1.
“A tough guy to replace,” said assistant coach Mike Stothers after the optional morning skate on Wednesday. “He does a lot of little things that people probably don’t even notice. No. 1, he’s a leader in our room, a good solid veteran player that can play in all situations, versatile. You know what? He helps the younger guys be better players.
“It’s a tough loss but it’s an exciting time for him and his wife. We’re happy for him and that’s what’s first and foremost. Family always takes precedence.”
Taking Henrique’s spot on the line with center Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano was rookie Mason McTavish. The Ducks also recalled rookie Pavol Regenda from AHL San Diego. Regenda, who had two assists in five NHL games before he was sent to San Diego, slotted in on the fourth line with center Glenn Gawdin and Brett Leason.
Drysdale update
Defenseman Jamie Drysdale had shoulder surgery on Friday, to repair a torn labrum. The surgery, performed by the team’s orthopedic surgeon Brian Schulz, was done at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles.
The timetable for his return is anywhere from four to six months. It is a tough blow for the Ducks – losing a top-four defenseman for that length of time – and a setback for the 20-year-old Drysdale at a crucial time in his development.
He was injured on Oct. 28 at Vegas, leaving the game after taking a hit from the Golden Knights’ William Carrier in a play along the boards behind the Ducks’ net.
Also
With head coach Dallas Eakins under the weather, Stothers ran practice on Tuesday and met with the media on Wednesday morning.
Eakins was behind the bench for the Wild game.
Stothers handles the defense and talked about newcomer Dmitry Kulikov, who played last season for the Wild. Kulikov has been paired on D with John Klingberg, of late.
“(Kulikov) has been awesome,” Stothers said. “He’s been terrific for us. To me, it doesn’t matter how many teams he’s played for. It’s who he is playing for now. He’s got his heart set on being a solid Duck contributor. He’s been pretty steady and consistent for a team that maybe hasn’t been as consistent as we would like. There’s a lot of his game to like.
“He has a little bit of a physical presence. When he ends a play, he does so with authority….I’m sure this is a big game for him playing against Minnesota tonight.”