of the Islanders. Ruled out for at least the rest of the series, the club went to the "bullpen" first thing on Thursday morning, recalling forward Mackenzie MacEachern from the Chicago Wolves (AHL).
6-foot-2, 188 lbs., (listed in some places as 6-foot-3, 205 lbs., last year's height and weight), the forward has Stanley Cup Playoffs experience, playing in five games with the St. Louis Blues in 2020.
"He's played really well. Just watching his last stretch when he was (in Chicago), he was solid," Brind'Amour offered when asked of the MacEachern call-up. "He looks like he could jump right in here. And he may have to."
In his first year with the organization, MacEachern played in some preseason games with the Canes before spending the entirety of the regular season in Chicago. He missed several months due to a pair of upper-body injuries, but returned in a big way, playing a major role in the Wolves' attempt at a Calder Cup Playoff spot.
"He's an experienced pro who plays the right way," Canes Director of Hockey Operations Aaron Schwartz said of the 29-year-old winger. "He's a big body who gets to the net and he was clutch for Chicago in their playoff push. He's a leader."
Producing 20 points in 19 games from March 5 - April 17, MacEachern traveled with the team to New York today and is expected to be available if needed for Friday's Game Three.
Jesse Puljujarvi, who has been the lone healthy scratch at forward for Carolina through the first two games of the series, could be the first man in though.
"When you lose your top guys, there's a lot of minutes (available). Somebody has to fill them," Brind'Amour said. "It's probably not just one guy, but in general, more guys will get more opportunities, and so you have to make the most of it."
