There is no indication what Poehling is dealing with but a flu bug has been going through the Habs room, so it could be that. Consider Poehling a game-time decision and monitor his status as they hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.
Poehling replaced Matthew Peca in the lineup on Wednesday but heads back to Laval ahead of Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. His reassignment could be a paper move with a few days off or a sign that Pecas will be back on Saturday.
Poehling has scored five goals with seven assists (12 points) in 26 games with Laval (AHL) this season. The 20-year-old will replace Kasperi Kotkaniemi (concussion) who was placed on IR. The 20-year-old has three goals in five career NHL games.
Poehling played in four straight games but was sent back before Friday's game in Washington. Jordan Weal will take the spot that was previously filled by Poehling. He returns to the AHL, where he has collected three goals and two assists (five points) in 14 games.
Poehling took a big hit from Dryden Hunt during last Wednesday’s preseason game and is out indefinitely with a concussion. This is a tough break for Poehling, who was likely to open the season on the Canadiens roster. However, it does open up the possibility for Montreal to take a look at Ryan Suzuki early in the season.
Poehling is a rangey player, standing in at 6-foot-2, but needs to add bulk to that frame. Poehling posted seven goals and six assists (13 points) in 35 games in his first season with St. Cloud State.
