Montreal Canadiens centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi is slated to make his return from a concussion vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, coach Claude Julien told reporters.
The 19-year-old has been sidelined since Dec. 5, when he was injured after a hit from Colorado Avalanche defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Kotkaniemi hit his head on the ice, was slow to get up and had to be helped to the dressing room. He was taken to hospital following the incident.
Kotkaniemi has five points in 22 games this season, his sophomore campaign with the Canadiens after being draft by the club third overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Julien also revealed that fellow forward Joel Armia is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Julien said Armia hurt his hand.
The 26-year-old played 8:29 against the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 23 before taking a cross-check from Nathan Beaulieu and leaving the game.
He has 12 goals and 21 points in 35 games this season.
[relatedlinks]
