Golden Knights head coach Bruce James Cassidy Make Worrisome News to Ivan Barbashev ahead Duel Against Rangers

The Vegas Golden Knights are anticipating that leading goal scorer Ivan Barbashev will return to game action on Saturday against the New York Rangers.

The 29-year-old has been out since Dec. 15 with an upper-body that he sustained against the Minnesota Wild. When Barbashev exited the lineup, he had sole possession of leading goal scorer on the team but is now tied with Brett Howden.

Barbashev’s return is a crucial one. His return will allow Tanner Pearson to move back down the lineup onto the fourth line where he has excelled this season. The 32-year-old did a great job when he was asked to move up to Jack Eichel and Mark Stone’s line but Barbashev provides a different element.

His chemistry with Eichel is undeniable and he was a catalyst for the success the team had in the first half of the season.

With Barbashev’s return means a player needs to be sent down to the AHL and that player is unsurprisingly Jonas Rondbjerg. He’s recored no points in the seven games NHL games this season and was averaging just 8:57 of ice time.

Related: Golden Knights Forward Could Lose Restriced Free Agent Rights If He Doesn’t Meet Total Game Requirement

Nicolas Roy once again participated in practice but skated as an extra and will need additional time to get healthy. He seems to be nearing a return but the exact date has yet to be determined.

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