One member of the Over 40 Club who will not be skating during the NHL’s unofficial Legends Night Thursday is Jaromir Jagr.
Jagr, the New Jersey Devils announced, will miss Thursday’s game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre, due to the flu. Devils forward Patrik Elias (groin) and defenceman Adam Larsson (flu) will also be out of the lineup.
Jagr, the Devils’ leading scorer, suffered a high, late hit from Robert Bortuzzo (subsequently suspended) during Tuesday’s loss to Pittsburgh, but Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Jagr did not suffer a concussion from the check.
“Jagr was sick before [Tuesday’s loss to Pittsburgh],” Lamoriello told the Star-Ledger. “He does not have a concussion. He just can’t go. Completely dehydrated.”
Toronto (13-8-3) will also be playing without a key forward Thursday, as Leo Komarov is still not ready to return after suffering a hit from behind by Alex Ovechkin on Saturday.
The Leafs have not called Komarov’s injury a concussion, and the checking forward did participate in an optional skate Thursday morning.
In other Leafs notes, forward Daniel Winnik returned to the ice Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday and is expected to play.
Jonathan Bernier will make his seventh consecutive start in goal for Toronto. Corey Schneider gets the nod in net for New Jersey.
