Cizikas is dealing with a lower-body injury and head coach Barry Trotz said it’s too early to determine if he will be ready for the season opener. Trotz is hopeful he’ll have his fourth-line centre available, but it doesn’t sound like the injury is going to linger too deep into October.
DeAngelo emerged as a key part of the Rangers future in 2019, recording 30 points (4G / 26A) in 61 games. The coaching staff was reluctant to use DeAngelo on a nightly basis, scratching him with some regularity, but that should change in 2020. The additions of Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox adds to the competition DeAngelo has for playing time at both 5v5 and on the man-advantage.
Reilly had three goals and eight assists (11 points) in 57 games for Montreal last year. Reilly shuffled in and out of the Montreal lineup all season but ranked third among defensemen in PP TOI/gm (1:25) when he did play. He will likely fill the exact same role in 2020.
Hogberg spent most of the 2018-19 season with the Belleville Senators (AHL) where he was named the team’s most valuable player after going 21-17-4 with a 2.32 GAA and .917 SV% in 39 games. During his four games with Ottawa, the 24-year-old was 0-2-1 with a 4.09 GAA and .884 SV%. He will likely start the 2019-20 season with Belleville.
Duclair was acquired from the Blue Jackets as a part of the Matt Duchene trade and drastically improved his numbers in Ottawa. Duclair saw over 1:30 TOI more per game with the Senators and scored eight goals with six assists (14 points) in 21 games. With a lack of talent in Ottawa heading into 2019-20, Duclair should continue to play a middle-6 role for the Senators.
Schneider allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Devils loss to St. Louis last Saturday. Schneider finished March at 2-4-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .913 SV% and will make his 23rd start of the season on Thursday. The 33-year-old is 2-9-1 with a 3.73 GAA and .889 SV% on the road this year and draws a tough assignment in Carolina.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 36 shots in Colorado’s loss to Anaheim on March 15th. Philipp Grubauer started the last eight games, including last night, but they’ll come back to Varlamov vs. the Oilers. Varlamov has stopped 41 of the 45 shots (.911 SV%) in two starts against Edmonton this season.
