Jets' Patrik Laine practices with Jets for first time since concussion
Patrik Laine hit the ice with his Winnipeg Jets teammates in a non-contact jersey nearly two weeks after suffering a concussion following a hit by Jake McCabe of the Buffalo Sabres.
The Jets rookie forward experienced headaches; was constantly tired and had a hard time focusing after the hit. Laine said he was cleared a couple of days ago and doesn’t remember anything after the hit.
“I got the puck and that’s it,” he said. “I can’t remember anything else.”
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Laine had actually been on the ice before Friday, according to Jets head coach Paul Maurice. Today was a non-contact skate for last June’s No. 2 overall pick and if he feels good on Saturday that’s when they’ll start ramping up the intensity and see how his body reacts.
But when doctors eventually clear Laine, that won’t necessarily mean he’ll immediately be plugged back into the lineup.
“He’s absolutely not getting back into a game until he’s at 100 percent and clear, and then I’m more interested in getting him in the next game,” Maurice said.
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While he waits to be 100 percent, Laine remains day-to-day and is uncertain if he’ll be cleared in time to be able to attend next weekend’s All-Star festivities in Los Angeles.
“It’s looking pretty good now and just hopefully soon,” he said.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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