If you’re a regular reader of this site – and you better be if you’re hanging around this late in the season – you probably know that we have a soft spot for Jakub Nakladal. He’s a veteran who toiled in the American Hockey League playing quite well, waiting for an NHL audition. The suspension of Dennis Wideman opened that door, and Nakladal has played quite well over the past dozen games.

Unfortunately, his audition may be coming to an abrupt end, as he left today’s game with the Pittsburgh Penguins mid-way through the second period after a stick caught him under the shield in his facial area.

As of mid-way through the third period, Nakladal hadn’t returned to the game and the presumption is that he won’t.

Nakladal, 28, was recalled to the NHL for the second time on February 3. (He had previously been up from October 21-29 but never played.) Playing primarily on the third pairing with combinations of Deryk Engelland, Tyler Wotherspoon and Jyrki Jokipakka, he has a goal and an assist. Today was his 12th game of the season (and his NHL career).

We’ll have more updates as they become available.