Simmonds' injury does not to be of the serious variety and he should be fine for the start of the regular season. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and could record 30-plus goals this year. Monitor his status as the season approaches, but he should be good to go.
Philadelphia Flyers News
Ellis, 23, had six goals and 21 assists (27 points) in 80 games last season. He was drafted 11th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft and has tremendous offensive upside. Ellis is undersized, but will be a key member of the Predators power-play for years to come.
Thompson, 29, had nine goals and seven assists (16 points) in 81 games for the Ducks last season. He adds forward depth to the Ducks lineup and will likely centre the Ducks' fourth line in 2014-15.
Deslauriers averaged 13:10 TOI and scored one goal with a minus-9 rating in 16 games with the Sabres. He heads back to the AHL where he had 39 points (18G / 21A) in 60 games with Manchester. He has not suited up for the Rochester Americans after being acquired at the deadline from L.A.
Deslauriers has no points and a minus-7 rating in 12 games with the Sabres. He will be replaced by Ville Leino tonight vs. the Devils.
Johnson missed the game-day skate this morning and will be a game-time decision for the Avalanche tonight. Johnson has really picked up his play as of late, so his absence would be greatly felt on the Avs' blueline. Nate Guenin would slide into the lineup if Johnson is unable to go.
Ristolainen was just sent back to Rochester because Tyler Myers was ready to go Tuesday. However, Myers suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's contest, thus Ristolainen has been recalled and will likely dress tonight.
Ristolainen played in five games during his call-up. He was a minus-5 with 12 shots but failed to register a point. He will return to Rochester because Tyler Myers is ready to return to the lineup. Myers has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 30 AHL games.
Ristolainen, 19, has one goal in 19 games with the Sabres this season. The 2013 eighth overall pick has six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 30 games with Rochester.
It has been a crazy week for Deslauriers. First he was traded on Wednesday and now he will make his NHL debut tonight with the Sabres. He was a third-round pick in 2009 and has recorded 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games this season.
Deslauriers was acquired by the Sabres on Wednesday and could make his NHL debut tonight in Florida. Deslauriers has been recalled because Chris Stewart and Zemgus Girgensons were injured on Thursday and are unavailable for Friday's game. He had 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games with Manchester (AHL) before the trade.
Deslauriers, 23, was a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is a 6-foot, 230 lbs. defenseman who has 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games with Manchester (AHL) this season. He has yet to make his NHL debut.
Johnson has finished serving his two-game suspension he recieved for his slash on Frans Nielsen before the Olympic break. Johnson has seven goals and 17 assists (24 points) in 58 games this season.
Johnson was suspended for slashing New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen during the Avs contest on Saturday, February 8. The incident occurred at 12:09 of the third period. Johnson was assessed a minor penalty for slashing. The slash resulted in a broken hand for Nielsen. Ryan Wilson will slide into the lineup for Johnson.
If Johnson is unable to play, Karl Stollery will enter the lineup. Johnson has not recorded a point in his last five games, but has 20 points (7G / 13A) with a plus-13 rating in 48 games this season. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups.
Johnson played just 12:45 before retiring to the dressing room for the night. Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy said that he "hopes that [Johnson] is day-to-day. We will provide an update as soon as there is word from the Avs medical staff.
Thompson is listed as day-to-day, he is not fantasy relevant, he has nine points (3G / 6A) in 46 games.
Ristolainen suffered a concussion after being sucker-punched in the AHL, but he will likely play for Finland in the World Juniors. The 8th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft recorded one goal in 19 games with the Sabres. He has recorded two goals and two assists in five games since being sent to Rochester (AHL).
Ristolainen was the eighth overall pick in this year's NHL Draft, but will head to Rochester for seasoning. The Sabres don't appear to be a playoff team so allowing their young talent to develop in Rochester is a logical move for the Sabres future. Ristolainen is known more for his defence than his offence, he had one goal in 19 games.
Tyson Barrie looks like he’ll get the call to replace Johnson in the lineup tomorrow against Carolina, if Johnson can’t play. He is getting time on the power-play unit and has been paired opposite Jan Hejda in practice.