NHL Buzz: Robertson makes season debut for Stars

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Dallas Stars

Jason Robertson made his season debut for the Stars in a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
The forward, who injured his shoulder in the preseason, had two shots on goal in 16:30 of ice time. Robertson was runner-up last season in the voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL rookie of the year. He was second among rookies in scoring with 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 51 games behind Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild (51 points).
"That last preseason game against Colorado, I got popped a little bit," Robertson said before the game. "I thought I was fine afterwards, but adrenaline and everything started to kick in afterwards. I just wanted to make sure it healed up and [I'm] ready to go tonight."
Robertson skated on the first line with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski.
Forward Blake Comeau also made his season debut after injuring his elbow in training camp. He had one shot on goal and two hits in 13:12.
"It was in practice, just kind of a harmless fall, a little bit of a cut on the elbow but it wasn't much," Comeau said. "I didn't think too much about it. Didn't need stitches or anything, and like I said, everything was fine for 10 days. Then it just kind of escalated, kind of an unlucky thing I guess." -- Taylor Baird

Winnipeg Jets

Blake Wheeler was removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol and practiced with the Jets on Wednesday.
The forward has missed the past four games since being placed into protocol Oct. 18. The Jets are 3-0-1 without Wheeler, who has one assist in two games this season.
The Jets remain without center Mark Scheifele, who has missed the past three games since being placed in COVID-19 protocol Oct. 21.
Winnipeg plays at the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; BSW, TSN3, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).

Boston Bruins

Curtis Lazar made his season debut for the Bruins in a 4-1 loss at the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
The forward, who injured his arm in training camp, had one shot on goal and played 10:29.
"We were very close to [surgery]. Very fortunate to have avoided that," Lazar said Tuesday. "My arm bent one way it wasn't supposed to. … But I had that sliver of hope and just from that moment on, we attacked it right away and it allowed me to get better each and every day. And like I said, no setbacks."
Lazar scored four points (two goals, two assists) in 17 games with the Bruins last season after he was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on April 12, 2021. -- Amalie Benjamin

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Vancouver Canucks

Travis Hamonic
has reported to Vancouver after missing the start of the season for personal reasons.
The defenseman will join Abbotsford of the American Hockey League in the coming days, Canucks general manager Jim Benning said.
The Canucks granted Hamonic a temporary leave of absence Oct. 18, mutually agreed upon to "give Travis time as he works through his personal matters."
Hamonic, who signed a two-year contract July 28, missed training camp and the preseason. Benning said on the eve of the regular season that the plan was for Hamonic to skate with the AHL team to get ready to join the Canucks.
"It's going to take some time for him to skate and be ready," Benning said Oct 11. -- Kevin Woodley

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews was removed from the NHL COVID-19 protocol by the Blackhawks on Wednesday before playing in a 3-2 overtime loss the Toronto Maple Leafs at home. The center had one shot on goal, one hit and one blocked shot in 18:03 of ice time.
Forwards
Patrick Kane
, Henrik Borgstrom and
Jujhar Khaira
, and defenseman
Riley Stillman
are in the protocol, as are coaches Marc Crawford, Tomas Mitell and Jimmy Waite.