Practice started well enough for Connor Brown on Wednesday, with him moving up to the first line with Connor McDavid.
But it took a bloody turn when he accidentally caught assistant coach Paul Coffey on the chin with a puck, sending him to the dressing room for repairs.
It wasn’t really his fault, his shot deflected off a goalie, but as good natured punishment he had to skate two lengths of the ice.
“He might have had some stitches,” grinned head coach Kris Knoblauch, when asked for an injury update on his defence coach. “He has a bandage on his chin. But I think he’ll persevere and be OK for Thursday night.”
As for moving Brown to the top line, Knoblauch said it seemed like a good fit, but joked that it might not be written in stone if he starts picking off coaches.
“I might have to reconsider that if it’s up to all the coaches,” he laughed, adding Brown’s game is gaining momentum. “He’s been playing really well. The goals haven’t been there as of late but the overall game has been good.
“He’s fast, in on the forecheck and continuing plays. And always reliable defensively.
“Yes, you can want more offence from guys but if you’re contributing an extra goal every few games but you’re giving up two or three you’re not much help. He’s been good at both ends of the rink.”
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