After lighting it up in his season debut, it appears Patrik Laine will have to wait a while longer before he can return to the ice for his second game of the 2021 campaign.
The Winnipeg Jets winger has missed the team's past two games while dealing with an upper-body injury. Laine once again briefly took to the ice Wednesday to see how he fared, but following the team's practice, head coach Paul Maurice said the winger remains "doubtful" for Winnipeg's Thursday-night contest with the Ottawa Senators.
“We just wanted to check his movement on the ice," Maurice said of Laine giving it a try Wednesday. "I'm going to list him as doubtful. We'll leave the door open tomorrow if he comes in and feels strong in the morning skate, but based on where he's at today, I think 'doubtful' is the proper place to put him."
The 22-year-old posted two goals and three points in his lone appearance so far this season, a dominant debut after a somewhat tumultuous off-season that saw trade rumours involving the young forward surface once again.
The Jets have gone 1-1 without their star winger, falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs and besting the Senators, after defeating the Calgary Flames in their season opener with Laine in the fold.
