Kucherov has been dealing with a lower-body but he was in practice on Monday and head coach Jon Cooper is “optimistic” that Kucherov will be ready to go for their October 6th opener against the Panthers.
Johnson has been dealing with an upper-body injury throughout the preseason and could miss the Lightning’s opener vs. the Panthers on Saturday. With Johnson out during Monday’s practice, Mathieu Joseph skated in his spot on the third line.
Carrick lost out to Igor Ozhiganov, Justin Holl and Martin Marincin in training camp, so the Maple Leafs get a draft instead of losing him for nothin on waivers. The 24-year-old had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 47 games with the Maple Leafs last season and should push for a spot on the Stars’ third pairing. The seventh round pick will turn into a sixth round pick if he plays in 50 games with the Stars this season.
Jones has been moved to IR retroactive to September 25th and is expected to be out until at least late-October. Jones has been given a 4-6 week timetable and should become a sleeper as he drops down fantasy boards this week. The 23-year-old will look to build off of a career-best 57 points (16G / 41A) in 78 games. Zach Werenski will eat up massive minutes at even-strength and the top power-play while Jones is out.
Sparks has won the backup job in Toronto, sending Curtis McElhinney to waivers. The 25-year-old had an outstanding season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), going 31-9-1 with a 1.79 GAA, .936 SV% and six shutouts. The Maple Leafs like to lean heavily on Frederik Andersen, so Sparks likely won’t see more than 20 starts this season.
Crawford took to the ice with his teammates for the first time since February 12th, when he started feeling the vertigo-like symptoms. This is a big step forward for the Blackhawks’ netminder, who has been one of the most consistent netminders in the NHL over the last six years—he has posted a 2.31 GAA and .922 SV% over that stretch. Crawford likely won’t be ready for the start of the season, leaving the starting duties to Cam Ward, but Crawford appears on track to be back at some point in October.
Aberg picked up eight points (2G / 6A) in 16 games with the Oilers after being claimed from Nashville. The 25-year-old has registered just 18 points (5G / 13A) in 68 career NHL games. He landed on waivers after the emergence of Ty Rattie and Kailer Yamamoto in training camp and heads to Anaheim, who lost Corey Perry to knee surgery in the preseason.
Krug was forced to leave the Bruins’ final preseason game with a lower-body injury, but head coach Bruce Cassidy did not have an update on his status. Consider Krug day-to-day until the Bruins release an official timetable. This puts his status for the Bruins’ season-opener in jeopardy.
Brown was injured in the Kings’ final preseason game after being hit by a shot from teammate Anze Kopitar. Brown left the game and did not return for the third period. With Brown out, the Kings have a hole next to Kopitar on the top-line, a spot that will likely be filled by Ilya Kovalchuk.
Hartnell played for 17 seasons, totalling 327 goals and 380 assists (707 points) across 1,249 career regular season games. Hartnell was originally drafted No.6 overall by the Nashville Predators in 2000 and went on to play six seasons there before suiting up for the Flyers, Blue Jackets and then ultimately back in Nashville for his final season.
Jerabek had just two goals and six assists across 36 games with the Canadiens and Capitals during his first season in the NHL in 2017-18. The 27-year-old defenseman heads to St. Louis where he is sure to be a depth piece on an already talented blueline. The draft pick that the Oilers received becomes a fifth round pick if Jerabek appears in 50-plus regular season games with the Blues this season.
Schneider will not be between the pipes when the Devils opening their season against the Oilers on October 6th. The 32-year-old is coming off of hip surgery on May 1st. Look for Keith Kinkaid to get the nod in the season-opener.
Yandle is in danger of missing the Panthers’ season opener after suffering an upper-body injury in Saturday’s preseason game. The Panthers are saying his is “probable” to return next week, so keep an eye on him heading into the regular season.
Wolanin was expected to make the Senators opening night roster but was one of their final cuts this weekend. Wolanin appeared in 10 games at the end of last season after turning pro following his junior year at the University of North Dakota.
Chlapik, 21, was close to making the Senators opening night roster, but was one of their final cuts this weekend. The former second-round pick had just four points (1G / 3A) in 20 NHL games a year ago and picked up 32 (11G / 21A) in 52 games in Belleville.
Brodzinski suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday’s preseason game and underwent surgery on Friday. Brodzinski was set to play on the Kings’ third-line but will miss now miss multiple months. His injury likely means that Jared Anderson-Dolan will make the opening night roster.
Schlemko suffered a knee injury during Wednesday’s preseason game against the Maple Leafs. The Canadiens announced that the veteran defenseman is expected to miss a month and a half, which means that either Mike Reilly will likely have a spot in the opening night roster.
Zadina, who was expected to be a lock to make the Red Wings roster, did not do enough in the preseason to make the team. Zadina will head to Grand Rapids for some seasoning and could be one of their first call-ups if he plays well with the Griffins.
Davidson, 27, was in Chicago on a professional tryout and appears to have cracked their opening night roster. Davidson played for the Canadiens, Oilers and Islanders last year, compiling four goals and three assists (seven points) in 51 games. Davidson might be in the Blackhawks’ top-6, beating out Brandon Manning.
