NHL Hockey Player News

O'Brien had one shot and two hits in 11:43 TOI in the Coyotes loss on Saturday. Tonight he'll be replaced by Antoine Roussel.

Roussel played 10:01 TOI in the first game of the season but was a healthy scratch in Buffalo on Saturday. Roussel will replace Liam O'Brien in the lineup vs. the Blues.

Evans was missing from Monday's practice and is questionable to play on Tuesday. Adam Brooks skated in his spot at practice and would likely replace him in the lineup if Evans is unable to play.

Liljegren was in the lineup on Saturday but will sit with Justin Holl (illness) returning to the lineup.

Wheeler missed Monday's practice after being put on the COVID-19 reserve list and is questionable to play Tuesday in Minnesota. Andrew Copp moved up to the top line in Wheeler's absence.

Maltsev opened the season in the AHL but got off to a hot start, picking up four points (1G / 3A) in two games. Maltsev and Martin Kaut were both recalled and are expected to make their season debuts on Tuesday.

Kaut has picked up two assists in his first two AHL games this season and could make his season debut with Colorado on Tuesday. The Avalanche played with just 11 forwards on Saturday, so both Kaut and Mikhail Maltsev should draw in vs. the Capitals.

Sikura failed to record a point in 12:39 TOI in his Avalanche debut on Saturday. He was sent down and Colorado recalled Martin Kaut and Mikhail Maltsev to take his place on the roster.

Hardman had one goal and two assists (three points) in eight games with the Blackhawks last season. He opened the AHL season with two assists in two games. After being called up this morning, Hardman was skating on the third line with Henrik Borgstrom and Alex DeBrincat, so look for him to play on Tuesday.

Mitchell played in the Blackhawks season opener but was scratched in after they signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year deal. Mitchell will get playing time in Rockford, where he had one assist in five games last season.

Rust was hurt in the second game of the season and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. This is another huge blow for the Penguins, who are already without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin upfront. Luckily for the Penguins, they only have seven games over the next three weeks, so Rust may not miss too many games.

Crosby has been skating with the team lately but will remain sidelined for Tuesday's game vs. the Stars. This is probably a logical decision, considering after Tuesday they are off until Saturday. Monitor his status as the week progresses.

Hoffman took part in Monday's practice and said that he "should be good to go on Tuesday" if he gets medical clearance. Hoffman skated on a line with [Jake Evans] and Branden Gallagher and PP1 in practice.

Kucherov left Saturday's game with a lower-body injury and appeared to be in significant discomfort. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Kucherov is still being evaluated but that it's more than a "day-to-day thing" and added that he's going to "miss some time." With Kucherov not available for Monday's practice, Ondrej Palat moved to PP1 and Corey Perry moved up to the top line.

Backstrom has begun skating but head coach Peter Laviolette said that he is in the "beginning" of the rehab process, suggesting that he is still far from a season debut. Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre are expected to continue to fill the hole left by Backstrom's injury.

Barre-Boulet played just 8:12 TOI on Saturday and has one assist in two games while averaging 8:39 TOI/gm. Barre-Boulet will be replaced by Kole Lind.