Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Player Notes in the Draft (Nov 4)

Only one note from Monday's lone game... Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello was held out of the game, due to a lower-body injury and he is currently considered to be day-to-day with the injury.  Zuccarello was on the ice on Tuesday morning, taking part in the optional skate for the team, but there is no indication of whether or not he will be ready for the team's next game, Wednesday night in Detroit.

This is another injury for Wyllie, who isn't recovering from his early season fall down to 13th in the standings and his team is already among the pool-worst for projected games in Week Five.  The injury bug has not been kind for him these days.

The Flames' top Calder Trophy candidate, Johnny Gaudreau, is questionable for tonight's game against the Washington Capitals, as he is dealing with the flu on Tuesday.  The Flames are already running shorthanded with a number of players on the Injured Reserve, so the loss of Gaudreau could be significant, if it actually happens.  Gaudreau has 8 points in 12 games and has been one of the team's most consistent players.

The dynamic young forward belongs to Wilton this season and his team isn't off to the best of starts, but isn't too far out just yet.  His team will go into Tuesday's action in 15th spot, 15 points out of the money and 6 points out of the top 10.

It is expected that Dallas Stars forward Valeri Nichushkin will finally make a return to the line-up tonight, as they face the Kings at home tonight.  Defenseman Sergei Gonchar is also considered to be a game-time decision for the club, as he'll make his season debut for the club.  Ales Hemsky was taking regular line rushes at the team's morning skate, so he is expected to be in the line-up, not expected to miss any more time with his upper-body injury, which he suffered on the weekend.

Both Nichushkin and Hemsky are pool players, belonging to Scott and Brenda & Seward, both teams getting some good news.  Gonchar was dropped in the preseason waivers, so he will be one to watch for the Week Nine Waiver Draft, which is now only a month away.

It's another busy night in the NHL, which means I will try to give an idea of the goaltending situation in the pool for the evening.  As of the time of this blog post, I'm seeing three pool teams with both their goalies confirmed to be playing tonight... Benson, Stacey C. and Wes.  Dale B. should have both of his goalies going, but there hasn't been any official confirmation on Ryan Miller going, but he is expected.  Cam, Grant S., Stacey M. and Troy are all likely to have their two goalies going, but they all have one goalie that is probable, definitely not confirmed.

Of note, Viktor Fasth returns to the Edmonton crease for the game against the Flyers.  Jake Allen will also get a turn in the net for St. Louis, as Brian Elliott played the night before against the Rangers.  Carter Hutton appears to be getting a start for Nashville, as they take on the Jets, according to some of the Winnipeg reports on Twitter this morning.

With all these games going, it does seem awfully strange that nine of the 23 teams in the pool do not have goalies projected for tonight.  It might just be one of those scheduled off-nights in the league though.

An updated list of injuries can be found here.

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