Eichel suffered an upper-body injury while training and was held off of the ice for the first day of training camp. The Sabres consider Eichel as day-to-day, so it doesn't sound like he will miss any games. In practice, Casey Mittelstadt skated on the top line as a placeholder for Eichel, cantering a line with Taylor Hall and Victor Olofsson on his wings.
As expected, Pastrnak will not be ready for the start of training camp and will miss at least the first few games of the regular season. Pastrnak's original timetable was mid-February, so it looks like that remains true as training camp gets set to begin this week.
Marchand underwent sports hernia surgery in mid-September and was expected to be sidelined until mid-January. On Thursday, the Bruins announced that Marchand has been skating regularly, will be there for the start of training camp and should be good to go for the start of the regular season.
Alain, 23, was an undrafted free agent out of the QMJHL and spent the last two seasons in the AHL. According to the Laval Rocket, Alain has decided to pursue full-time studies, which is the reason for terminating his contract.
Ustimenko was 1-3-1 with a 3.84 GAA and .889 SV% in five AHL games with Lehigh Valley (AHL) last season and wasn't expected to make a push for an NHL spot in 2020. The former third-round pick may be the future backup in Philadelphia, but he may be sidelined for all of 2021 after undergoing hip surgery.
Dunn was the last of the Blues unsigned RFAs and gets a one-year contract for a very good number for a team tight up against the salary cap. Dunn's numbers dipped a bit in 2020 and he still has plenty of competition for playing time with Torey Krug coming over to replace Alex Pietrangelo. Still, he's scored 21 goals over the last two seasons and should continue to be a good source of goals with modest assist totals in 2021.
Hischier suffered a leg injury while training in Switzerland and will not be available for the opening of training camp. Hischier did not have surgery and the Devils do not consider it a long-term injury. The fourth-year centre could be ready for the start of the season but may get out of the gates slowly with a limited training camp.
In a statement, Toews said that he's been experiencing symptoms that have left him feeling "drained and lethargic." He is working with doctors to get a better understanding of his condition and will not join the Blackhawks until he "can get [his] health back to a place where feel [he] can perform at an elite level and help [his] team."
Hoffman will join Blues for Training Camp beginning January 3. Hoffman spent the last two seasons in Florida, averaging 35 goals and 35 assists per 82 games. Hoffman has 20-plus goals in six straight seasons and 30-plus assists in five straight. Hoffman would help fill in for Vladimir Tarasenko, who is expected to be out until at least late January.
