Friday, November 04, 2016

Morning Player Notes in the Draft (Nov 4)

The Arizona Coyotes are dealing with a couple of lower-body injuries and they kept a couple of pool players out of the lineup on Thursday night, as both Tobias Rieder and Martin Hanzal missed out of the game against the Nashville Predators and both are listed as out day-to-day for the time being.  The move was worth a recall from the minors, but only one, so it couldn't be too bad right now.

Both Jeremy and Mike missed out on a skater game last night and could possibly miss out on some more in the next few days, but there was no indication that this will be a long-term issue.  At least, not yet anyways.

The Calgary Flames are trying to find an optimal lineup situation these days and a lot of their tinkering continues to happen on the blueline.  On Thursday night in San Jose, Dennis Wideman came back out of the lineup as a healthy scratch, making room for Brett Kulak and something seemed to work, as they topped the Sharks in this one, 3-2.  I would expect Wideman to stay in the press box, until the next loss happens.

Wideman hasn't been bad for Grant this year, when he has played, picking up 4 points in eight games to start the season, but there is just something about his presence that doesn't sit well with the coaches.  I would imagine that the Flames would try and move his contract soon, if this is something that will continue, but that's easier said than done.

Jiri Hudler was out of the Dallas Stars' lineup again on Thursday night, as the notations about his absence was related to an illness of some sorts.  He is on the injured list as out day-to-day for the time being, hard to say whether or not he'll be ready to go for the team's next game, Saturday night, at home to the Blackhawks.

Hudler has been a dud for the Stars this season, only appearing in four games to this point in the year and failing to register a point.  For Jeremy, in or out of the lineup, he's getting the same results early on this season, making him an early candidate for a Waiver Draft drop in Week Eight.  That isn't too far away, when you think of it.

The Detroit Red Wings will get a big boost to their lineup tonight, when they host the Winnipeg Jets at the Joe Louis Arena, as defenseman Niklas Kronwall has announced that he is fit and ready to make his season debut, coming off a significant knee injury.  Kronwall was supposed to play for Sweden at the World Cup, but had to bow out, because of this injury, but it has finally come back around for him and he's now good to go.

Excellent news for Brian, who is already having himself quite the week.  Brian's team leads the pool for the Mover & Shaker nod this week, already having posted 21 points and he gets a good contributor back in Kronwall.  I don't think he'd step in with a boat load of points, but another healthy body goes a long way.

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