Karlsson missed the season opener in Vegas to be with his wife for the birth of their child but will play tonight vs. the Golden Knights. Karlsson will look to build off of a solid first season in San Jose—his 1.8 SH% is bound to bounce-back and a healthy season could result in 60-plus assists.
Karlsson was a late scratch from the Sharks season opener in Vegas. Karlsson had to attend to a personal affair and will be replaced by Tim Heed on the blueline and Kevin Labanc on the first power-play unit.
Crosby has practiced for the last two days and will play in the Penguins season opener. Crosby is set to centre the top line with Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist on his wings. The 32-year-old centre is coming off of his first 100-point season since 2014.
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.
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.
Pittsburgh selected Poulin with the No.21 overall pick this summer. The 6-foot-2, 216 lbs. winger had 76 points (29G / 47A) in 67 games during his second season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL).
Kolyachonok, 18, was a second-round pick of the Panthers this summer. The 6-foot-1, 184 lbs. defenseman had four goals and 25 assists (29 points) in 53 games in his first season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL).
Joseph was selected No.23 overall in 2017 and is coming off of a 47-point (9G / 38A) campaign in the QMJHL. The 19-year-old has good size (6-foot-2, 168 lbs), terrific mobility and puck skills that should make him a point-producer in the NHL in the near future. With veterans clogging up the Penguins’ blueline, Joseph is likely headed to the AHL to start the 2019-20 season.
The Maple Leafs have found a seventh-round gem in Johnsson. The 24-year-old had 20 goals and 23 assists (43 points) in 73 games during his first full NHL season. Johnsson also added one goal and three assists in seven playoff games and should be locked into a top-6 role on a line with Auston Matthews in 2020.
Nedeljkovic, who is viewed as one of the best goaltending prospects in the NHL, is coming off of an outstanding 2018-19 AHL campaign. Nedeljkovic led the AHL in wins (34) and GAA (2.26) en route to being named the league’s best netminder. He wasn’t done there, Nedeljkovic went 10-4-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .916 SV% in the AHL playoffs to help guide Charlotte to a Calder Cup Championship. With Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney both likely leaving in free agency, Nedeljkovic could see a lot of games at the NHL next year.
Hayes was acquired from the Jets for a 2019 fifth-round pick in early-June and was set to become a free agent on July 1st. Hayes is coming off of a career-year, scoring 19 goals with 36 assists (55 points) in 71 games with the Rangers and Jets. The 27-year-old is now signed through the 2025-26 season and is the third highest paid player on the Flyers.
Karlsson was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st but the Sharks have locked him up through the 2026-27 season. Karlsson’s new $11.5M cap-hit, represents a $5.0M raise and makes him the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL. After a slow-start and an injury plagued season, Karlsson posted his lowest point total (45) since 2012-13, but his point-per-game number (0.849) was right there with his most recent seasons.
There seemed to be some optimism that Grzelcyk would be able to return in Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision, but the Bruins defenseman will be held out once again for Game 6.
Grzelcyk has been sidelined by a concussion since Game 2 but is expected to draw back into the Bruins lineup for Game 5. Grzelcyk was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional gameday skate and will likely replace Zdeno Chara (jaw), who is also a game-time decision. Grzelcyk is expected to play on the top-pairing and second power-play unit.
Hayes, 27, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, so the Flyers will need to sign him before July 1st. Hayes spent the first four and a half seasons of his career with the Rangers before being dealt to the Jets at least year’s trade deadline. Hayes finished the 2018-19 campaign with a career-high 55 points (19G / 36A) in 71 games. Hayes helps bolster the Flyers’ centre depth, which has taken a hit since Claude Giroux moved to the wing.
