RADIO
Oskar Back Out 4-6 Weeks With Broken Finger
Dallas Stars forward Oskar Back will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. He landed on Injured Reserve after being hurt in Wednesday's win over Colorado. Back has recorded one assist in seven games this season. While Back isn't a primary contributor in Dallas, he'd be a useful option now that injuries have hit the forward group. For additional depth, the Stars signed winger David Perron to a one-year, $850,000 contract on Thursday. However, Saturday's game comes too soon for Perron to debut.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Vladislav Namestnikov Deemed Week-to-Week
Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week. He suffered an undisclosed injury during Thursday's morning skate. Namestnikov will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against Carolina. At the start of the season, the Russian forward hasn't been at his best offensively, contributing only one assist in six games. The Jets used Brad Lambert as Namestnikov's replacement in the lineup on Thursday against Chicago. Lambert made a positive impact with an assist, but he saw less than eight minutes of action on the fourth line and shouldn't be expected to contribute regularly to scoring.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Taylor Hall Week-to-Week With Upper Body Injury
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (upper body) is week-to-week, head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Friday. The former MVP sustained an upper-body injury against Washington earlier this week and will miss his first game of the season when the reigning champions take on Winnipeg on Saturday. Hall has three goals and five points in eight outings this season. With Jordan Staal (calf) also dropping out of the lineup, the Hurricanes have brought up Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum from the minors. However, Seth Jarvis (shoulder) is nearing his season debut and will also help cover for the absences.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Seth Jarvis Could Be an Option This Weekend
Carolina Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis (shoulder) has joined the team for a five-game road trip and could make his season debut as soon as this weekend. "I would hope so," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said about Jarvis playing during the trip. "He hasn't been cleared yet, so when he gets that clearance, then we'll see." Carolina faces Winnipeg on Saturday and Calgary on Sunday. Jarvis is on the cusp of his season debut after working his way back from shoulder surgery. His addition to the squad comes at a good time, as Carolina just lost Taylor Hall (upper body) from the lineup.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Pierre-Luc Dubois Remains Unavailable Saturday
Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (illness) will be absent for a fourth straight game on Saturday against New Jersey. He's having trouble recovering from illness. Dubois' absence has left the Capitals without a player who averaged a point per game across the first four contests of the year. On Saturday, Washington could also be without Justin Sourdif (illness), forcing head coach Spencer Carbery to make further changes up front. In this situation, Ethen Frank could earn a regular spot in the lineup. So far, he's appeared in only two games this season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Pavel Zacha Exits Early Friday
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (undisclosed) had a great night that ended in frustration on Friday when he was forced to exit a 4-2 win over Anaheim with an injury. According to Scott McLaughlin of WEEI, Zacha didn't take a single shift after 8:59 remained in the third period. Before he left the contest, the Czech forward recorded two power-play assists, helping Boston turn a 2-0 deficit into an impressive road win. After a sluggish start to the campaign, Zacha has collected five points (two goals, three assists) in four games. It would be a significant blow for the Bruins if he can't play on Saturday night against Los Angeles. In Zacha's absence, Fraser Minten and Matthew Poitras would be candidates to take on bigger roles.
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Egor Chinakhov Without Timeline for Return
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Egor Chinakhov (lower body) has no timeline for his return to action, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports. The Russian forward is dealing with a lower-body injury and was scratched for Friday's tilt against Colorado. In his first full season with the Penguins, Chinakhov has notched one goal and one assist. Both points came in the first two games of the season. Ville Koivunen filled the gap on the second line Friday and had an assist. That gives him three points (one goal, two assists) in six outings, making Koivunen worth watching.
Source: Josh Yohe
Source: Josh Yohe
Rasmus Dahlin to Remain Out Saturday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) will be sidelined for a third consecutive game on Saturday against Montreal. The Swedish defensive star sustained an upper-body injury in Monday's win over Florida. On Monday, Dahlin scored his second goal of the season, taking his points tally to four after six games. Owen Power and Olen Zellweger are benefiting from Dahlin's absence. Power should be scooped up in all fantasy leagues after posting two goals and six assists in eight games. Only five defensemen have been more productive offensively.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jake Walman Probable for Saturday's Action
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (upper body) is "very likely" to play on Saturday night against the Utah Mammoth, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reports. He's been unavailable for three games due to an upper-body injury. Walman has made a scoreless start to the season and will be expected to step up his game once he's back in action. The 30-year-old averaged about 0.5 points per game over the previous two campaigns. Utah has a top-10 defense, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect an immediate impact from Walman.
Source: David Staples
Source: David Staples
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on Track to Return Next Week
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (lower body) is expected to make his season debut next week, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reports. The veteran playmaker has been on the shelf at the start of the campaign with a lower-body injury. He's set to sit out two more games before being available on Thursday against Carolina. The Oilers are getting some big guns back into the lineup, with Zach Hyman (undisclosed) expected to make his comeback in Saturday's matchup with Utah. As a result, players like Trent Frederic and Filip Hallander may have to settle for reduced roles.
Source: David Staples
Source: David Staples
Zach Hyman Set to Return Saturday
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reports. Hyman has been out for six games with an undisclosed injury. He exited the lineup after the season opener. The veteran forward logged 20.33 of ice time against Vancouver but finished pointless in an 11-game thriller. Hyman shouldn't take long to find his stride in the Oilers' top six. He comes off a very impressive year, scoring 31 goals and 52 points in 58 games last season.
Source: David Staples
Source: David Staples
Nicolas Roy Misses Second Straight Game
Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy (lower body) will remain sidelined for a second straight game on Friday against Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old sustained a lower-body injury earlier this week. He remains day-to-day, but Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters Friday morning that Roy's status could turn to week-to-week. He said the same about left wing Zachary L'Heureux (upper body), who will miss a third consecutive game. While injuries can be very disruptive for teams, Roy's and L'Heureux's absences don't have fantasy consequences, as both players saw limited ice time before they were hurt.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mikael Granlund Won't Play Friday, Considered Day-to-Day
Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund (upper body) will sit out Friday's clash against the Boston Bruins. He is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The Finnish forward is expected to join the team on its upcoming four-game road trip, suggesting Granlund's absence could be limited to a single game. Granlund has had a spectacular start to the season, playing some of the best hockey of his career. In six games, he has contributed two goals and six assists. Fortunately for the Ducks, Cutter Gauthier (upper body) is back in the fold and set to center the second line in Granlund's place.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Cutter Gauthier Returns to Action Friday
Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (upper body) will return from a one-game absence on Friday against the Boston Bruins. He suffered a minor upper-body injury last weekend against the Calgary Flames, sitting out a rematch between the teams on Tuesday. Gauthier has two goals and four points in five games this season. He is expected to center the second line on Friday, with Mikael Granlund (upper body) out of commission. Gauthier will also skate on the first power-play unit, looking to add to the three points he has picked up with the man advantage.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alex Lyon Suffers Setback in Recovery From Injury
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (shoulder) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. Lyon was expected to make his season debut this week, but he had a setback in practice. The 33-year-old netminder, who had an impressive 20-10-4 record last season, is rehabbing a left shoulder injury. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis have shared goaltending duties in Buffalo at the start of the season. They have helped the Sabres to a 4-3-1 record, but the team has the fourth-worst save percentage in the league (.857).
Source: Bill Hoppe
Source: Bill Hoppe
