Utah Hockey Club News

Weber missed the first 24 games of the season but will make his debut vs. the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Weber will be back on the top pair and top power-play unit, which gives him immediate fantasy value. Weber is now 33-years-old but still owns a huge point shot. He had six goals and 16 points in 26 games last season, showcasing he can still be a double-digit goal-scorer with 20-plus assists if he stays healthy this season.

Schmaltz was traded to Arizona on Sunday night and will make his debut in Minnesota on Tuesday. Schmaltz, who broke out in 2017-18 has just 11 points (2G / 9A) in 23 games this season. The 22-year-old is expected to take on a much larger role in Arizona, starting tonight when he skates on the top line with Alex Galchenyuk and Clayton Keller.

Canadiens head coach Claude Julien said that if things continue as they are, Weber could return next Tuesday vs. the Hurricanes. After Friday, Weber will have missed the first 23 games of the season after undergoing surgery in early-July. Weber had 16 points (6G / 10A) in 26 games last season, giving him 58 points (23G / 35A) in 104 games in two years with Montreal.

Yamamoto has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but is expected to replace Jesse Puljujarvi in the lineup on Tuesday. Yamamoto has just one goal, one assist and 12 shots on goal in 11 games this season.

Connauton missed the last two games with an illness, but is expected to return to the Coyotes lineup on Monday. Connauton has two assists and 24 shots in 10 goals this season.

Connauton has missed the last two games with flu-like symptoms, but is expected to play Monday vs. the Flyers. Connauton has actually had a decent start to the season, picking up two assists, a plus-8 rating and 24 shots on goal in his first 10 contests.

Connauton missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Senators and will be a game-time decision tonight vs. the Hurricanes. Connauton has two assists, a plus-8 rating and 24 shots in 10 games this season.

Yamamoto had been skating on the Oilers’ first line, but will be a healthy scratch vs. the Blackhawks. Drake Caggiula will replace him on the first line and Jesse Puljujarvi will draw-in on the third line.

Valimaki has one goal and 11 shots on goal in nine games with the Flames this season. With Travis Hamonic (face) ready to return tonight, Valimaki will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.

Bortuzzo missed Tuesday’s game after suffering a lower-body injury in Toronto last Saturday. With Bortuzzo on IR, Jay Bouwmeester will remain in the Blues lineup going forward.

Bortuzzo scored a goal and played 17:46 TOI while replacing Jay Bouwmeester in the Blues lineup on Saturday, but suffered a lower-body injury in process. Bortuzzo returned to St. Louis to undergo some testing, so look for Bouwmeester to replace him in Winnipeg.

Bjugstad missed Monday’s practice so his status for Tuesday’s game is in question. The Panthers called the winger “day-to-day” so monitor his status during Tuesday’s morning skate. With Bjugstad absent today, Denis Malgin skated on the Panthers’ top line and Mike Hoffman moved back to the second line.

Hayton, 18, was the No.5 overall pick in this summer’s draft and made the Coyotes out of training camp but did not appear in either of their first two games. Hayton returns to the OHL, where he had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games with the Greyhounds.

Hayton, 18, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No.5 overall this June, will likely head back to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) for the 2019 season. Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games last season will be given a shot to make the team, but the Coyotes have shown to be patient with their prospects in recent years.