Haley spent 2019 with the Panthers and the Sharks, totalling two goals, four assists (six points) and 75 PIMS in 43 NHL games. Haley will likely be a rotation player on the Rangers fourth-line to begin 2019-20.
Pateryn appeared in 80 games with the Wild last season but is set to miss the first six weeks of the 2019-20 season. With Pateryn expected to be out until mid-November, Brad Hunt is expected to open the season as the Wild’s No.6 defenseman.
Crosby practiced for the first time since being hit in the foot with a shot during Pittsburgh’s preseason game last Saturday. “I felt good today,” Crosby told reporters, but his status for Thursday’s season opener remains unknown. Expect another update on Thursday.
Larkin went down along the boards in what head coach Jeff Blashill described as “fairly innocent” but was forced to leave early. Larkin will be evaluated on Tuesday and the Red Wings will likely release more information on his status on Wednesday.
Montour is a few weeks away from any type of contact, which suggests that he won’t be back until late-October. Luckily the Sabres went out and got Colin Miller and Henri Jokiharju this offseason, so their blueline should remain strong in Montour’s absence.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Rust is expected to be out “longer-term” and his move to LTIR means he will miss at least 10 games (24 days). His injury means that Zach Aston-Reese will likely start the season on the Penguins fourth-line.
Galchenyuk is officially listed as day-to-day but GM Jim Rutherford said the Penguins are confident that Galchenyuk will be able to play Thursday. The 25-year-old is coming off of a disappointing season in Arizona but is expected to skate alongside Evgeni Malkin, which makes him an excellent bounce-back/post-hype candidate.
Howard is coming off of a tough season, going 23-22-5 with a 3.07 GAA and .909 SV%. It was one of the worst seasons of his 13-year career and there isn’t a lot of optimism heading into 2019-20. On paper, the Red Wings look like one of the weakest teams in the league and Howard draws a tough assignment in Nashville—the Predators are coming off of a 5-2 win over the Wild on Thursday.
Comrie was a second-round pick of the Jets in 2013 and has appeared in just five NHL games since. Last year he was 25-20-2 with a 2.69 GAA, .917 SV% and two shutouts in Manitoba (AHL) last year. Comrie provides a little extra goaltending depth for the Coyotes, who had to dip into the minor leagues last year because of a long-term Antti Raanta injury.
Dahlstrom was originally selected in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft and has appeared in 49 NHL games over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old has spent most of his time in the AHL, where he had eight points (1G / 7A) in 22 games last year but will serve as an extra defenseman in Winnipeg this season.
Anderson appeared in 50 games last season, going 17-27-4 with a 3.51 GAA and .903 SV%. Playing for the league’s weakest team makes Anderson as risky of a goalie option as you will find in fantasy and an opening night meeting with the Maple Leafs must be avoided. Surprisingly, he was 2-1-0 despite a 3.36 GAA and .910 SV% vs. Toronto last season.
Kempny was in a non-contact jersey during Tuesday’s practice, which suggests that he’s not ready to play in St. Louis. With Kempny likely out, Jonas Siegenthaler is expected to skate on the top-pair and 19-year-old Martin Fehervary is expected to make his NHL debut.
Rantanen missed training camp because of a contract holdout but was back on the ice with the Avalanche on Monday. After his first practice session, head coach Jared Bednar said that his star right-winger will play Thursday. Rantanen is scheduled to skate on the top-line with Nathan Mackinnon and Gabriel Landeskog and should have no issues topping 80 points for the third consecutive season.
Sheahan was set to open the season as the Oilers’ fourth-line centre but will miss at least one week. Colby Cave will take over as Edmonton’s fourth-line pivot while Sheahan is out.
Ekman-Larsson has been held off of the ice with the flu but head coach Rick Tocchet said that he’s on “the back end of it” now, which suggests that he’ll be available for the season opener on Thursday. Arizona added some quality offensive pieces this offseason, which should help boost Ekman-Larsson’s numbers this season.
Tuch crashed heavily into the end boards in the Golden Knights preseason finale and will miss the first few weeks of the regular season. Tuch’s injury is a huge blow to Vegas but it does allow Cody Glass to start the season in the NHL.
Johnson missed Monday’s practice with the undisclosed injury that he suffered in Saturday’s preseason game, but head coach Jon Cooper is “hopeful” that he will play on Thursday. Monitor Johnson’s status over the next few days, but the sudden return of Brayden Point decreases Johnson’s fantasy value.
Hedman missed Monday’s practice as “maintenance” but head coach Jon Cooper believes his star defenseman will be able to play in the season opener. Hedman is coming off of a 54-point (12G / 42A) season, where he only skated in 70 games.
