Mattias Norlinder will play his NHL debut this Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In practice Wednesday morning, the 21-year-old defenseman skated to the left of David Savard, while Chris Wideman was relegated to the role of reserve.
The head coach of the Canadian Dominique Ducharme subsequently confirmed that the Swede would indeed be in uniform.
Injured at training camp, the young man has remained in the entourage of the club since. He played three games with the Laval Rocket to regain form, but under his contract he could not stay in the American League. If his hearing were to be short-lived, he would report to his Swedish team in Frolunda.
In Ducharme’s eyes, the time has come for Norlinder to show what he’s capable of against NHL players. “We want to see him in a match,” he added.
Very confident, the main concerned indicated that he wanted to keep his game as simple as possible, he who built his reputation on his offensive qualities.
He also confessed that Sidney Crosby, whom he will face Thursday night, was his childhood idol. “But tomorrow, he won’t be anymore,” he added, laughing.