Derek Grant and Nick Ritchie have been cleared to skate with the team. Grant suffered an AC (acromioclavicular) joint sprain in the game on Dec. 17, and the timeline for his return (at the time) was approximately 4-6 weeks. The 29-year-old center ranked tied for third among league leaders in shorthanded goals (2), and had seven of his nine goals this season come within the 14 games leading up to his injury. He recorded his first career hat trick, including his first career SHG in a 4-1 victory, Nov. 16 at St. Louis.
Ritchie suffered an MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprain on Dec. 6 vs. Washington. Ritchie has 10 points (3g/7a) and 54 penalty minutes in 27 games this season. The 24-year-old earned his 100th career NHL point (assist) on Nov. 27 at Arizona, and collected his eighth career game-winning goal on Oct. 8 at Detroit. Ritchie's timeline (at the time of his injury) was between 6-10 weeks.
Murray says Grant and Ritchie could return before or after the All-Star break Jan. 24-26.
Rickard Rakell returns to the lineup tonight vs. Nashville after missing the past six games with a sprained wrist. Rakell ranks third on the Ducks in points (25) and assists (15) and tied for third in goals (10).
Korbinian Holzer has also been cleared to play, but will not be in the lineup tonight.
