With Jordan Harris being a game-time decision tonight against Vancouver, the Habs needed to get an extra defenceman on the roster. That player is Gustav Lindstrom who has been recalled from Laval. To make room, Joel Armia was sent to the Rocket.
This will be Lindstrom’s second recall of the year; the 25-year-old was up for a couple of weeks earlier in the year before being sent down when Christian Dvorak returned. He has played in two games with the Habs this season and four others with Laval. At this point, Lindstrom will likely be in this role throughout the season, coming up as the extra defender when needed.
Armia, meanwhile, was a late cut in training camp by Montreal, clearing waivers last month. He got off to a hot start with Laval with four goals in his first four games and was quickly recalled. Since then, he has played in six games for the Habs this season, scoring just once. Armia was up for 21 days on this recall which is notable as once he plays in ten games or is up for 30 days (cumulative), he’ll have to go back on waivers to return to the minors. That clock is on hold for now.
Armia will not join up with Laval on their two-game trip to Manitoba so he won’t suit up for the Rocket until Wednesday at the earliest. Lindstrom, meanwhile, had been held back from that trip in case he was needed to cover in case of an injury on the back end.
As for Harris, he was injured late in the second period last night against Boston, missing the remainder of the game due to an upper-body issue. He skated before practice today and could still suit up against the Canucks.