NHL Buzz: Kakko placed on injured reserve by Rangers

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New York Rangers

Kaapo Kakko was placed on injured reserve Sunday with an upper-body injury.
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said he expects the 20-year-old forward to miss at least the remainder of a four-game road trip that continues at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, MSG, NHL LIVE). They visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday and Ottawa Senators on Saturday to conclude the trip.
The Rangers are home for two games next week, hosting the Calgary Flames on Oct. 25 and Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 29.
Kakko played 6:16 before his last shift ended with 36 seconds left in the first period of a 3-1 win at the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. He was hit by Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov at 13:49 of the first and hit Romanov seven seconds later.
Ryan Strome
did not participate in an optional practice because of an NHL COVID-19 protocol related absence that prevented the center from playing Saturday. Morgan Barron was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League.

Montreal Canadiens

Mike Hoffman could debut for the Canadiens either against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday or the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
The forward, who signed a three-year contract, was injured during the offseason prior to arriving in Montreal. He took part in his first practice with the team Saturday.