Former Caps defenseman Nate Schmidt clocked just over three minutes of ice time in his 2019-20 debut before suffering a significant injury. Schmidt collided knee-on-knee with San Jose’s Logan Couture in the first period of Wednesday’s game.
On Thursday, Vegas coach Gerard Gallant announced Schmidt’s status is week-to-week.
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Just before the collision, Couture entered the Knights zone with possession. Schmidt blocked the lane. Both players had their knees out.
It looked bad right away.
Schmidt needed assistance getting to the back room. Not good, folks. pic.twitter.com/P0oJs2mXMg
— Knights On Ice (@knightsonice) October 3, 2019
Trainers came to Schmidt’s aid, and teammates helped him off the ice. He did not return. The next day, head coach Gerard Gallant announced that Schmidt will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis.
Nate Schmidt is week to week with a lower-body injury, Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. #VegasBorn
— David Schoen 📰🗞🏒 (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) October 3, 2019
Schmidt led the Knights in average time on ice with just under 22 minutes a night. He was suspended for the first month and a half for failing a performance-enhancing drug test.
Headline photo: NBCSN
