Reid Duke took the ice before Thursday night’s game in full uniform and warmed up with his teammates.
It was as close as he would get to making his NHL debut for now.
Duke, the first player signed by the organization, was called up from the American Hockey League on Wednesday.
The forward probably would have played against the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena had Max Pacioretty experienced a pregame setback with the injury that kept him out of the lineup Tuesday. But Pacioretty was able to play.
The veteran Pacioretty, who entered Thursday’s game with 13 points in his past 10 games, said he will counsel Duke to keep it simple when he makes his debut.