Ducks Activate Leo Carlsson

Anaheim’s push to hold onto a playoff spot will get a boost tonight as center Leo Carlsson has been activated off injured reserve, according to the NHL’s Media Site.  The Ducks had an open roster spot so no corresponding move needed to be made but their roster is now at the maximum of 23.

Carlsson underwent a procedure in mid-January to treat a Morel-Lavallée lesion in his left thigh.  The initial recovery timeline was three to five weeks.  At the time, the hope was that he’d be able to suit up for Sweden at the Olympics but ultimately, he wasn’t able to participate.

Before being sidelined, Carlsson had been one of the breakout performers in the first half of the season.  Head coach Joel Quenneville had the 21-year-old playing a more prominent role compared to his sophomore campaign and the center responded with 44 points in 44 games, a total that made him Anaheim’s leading scorer prior to the injury.

Despite missing a dozen games, Carlsson has only slipped to a share of second place in team scoring, behind only winger Cutter Gauthier.  He’s also tied with fellow youngster Beckett Sennecke and veteran winger Troy Terry for that number two spot in points.

It’s not all good news on the injury front for Anaheim, however.  Derek Lee of The Hockey News relays that forward Mikael Granlund will miss tonight’s game against Edmonton due to an upper-body injury sustained at the Olympics.  Fortunately for them, he’s expected to skate on Thursday and hasn’t been ruled out of Friday’s contest versus Winnipeg.