Utah Hockey Club News

During the first few days of training camp, Schmaltz has taken Artem Anisimov’s spot on the Blackhawks’ second line next to Patrick Kane. Anisimov, who has been very successful in that spot in year’s past, is skating on the third line with Ryan Hartman and Patrick Sharp. Head coach Joel Quenneville likes the chemistry between Schmaltz and Kane, which bodes extremely well for Schmaltz’s potential heading into 2017-18. The 21-year-old is coming off of 28 points (6G / 22A) in 61 games during his rookie season.

Yamamoto is undersized (5-foot-8/153 lbs.) but makes up for it with exceptional speed and elusiveness. In his third season with the Spokane Chiefs (WHL), Yamamoto led the team in goals (42), assists (57) and points (99).

Valimaki is a mobile defenseman that oozes with offensive ability. The Finnish blueliner piled up 61 points (19G / 42A) in 60 games with the Tri-City Americans—good for fourth on the team. He’ll bring a lot of high-octane offence to the Flames blueline in the future.

The Canadiens made Sergachev the No.9 overall pick last summer and gave him four games at the NHL level before sending him back to the Windsor Spitfires. In Windsor, Sergachev scored 10 goals with 33 assists (43 points) in 50 regular season games and had four points (1G / 3A) in four games to help the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup. Since Sergachev doesn’t have to be protected and Drouin did, this deal gives the Lightning an extra protection slot heading into next weeks expansion draft.

Keller, 18, was the seventh overall pick this summer and is coming off of a fantastic freshman season at Boston University. He led the team with 45 points (21G / 24A) in 31 games and will draw right into the Coyotes lineup on Monday. He is worth a stash in keeper leagues, because he should break camp next fall with the Coyotes.

Schmaltz was not on the ice for the morning skate, which suggests he will not play tonight vs. the Islanders. With Schmaltz out, Ryan Hartman skated on the top line this morning and Jordin Tootoo is expected to play.

Connauton played just 9:17 before departing last night’s loss in Buffalo. He was injured on a hit from Sabres’ forward Marcus Foligno and is listed as day-to-day. Don’t expect him to be in the lineup in Carolina on Friday night.

Maatta played just 7:38 before leaving last night’s game with a hand injury. The Penguins quickly announced that he underwent surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the regular season. Expect the Penguins to place him on LTIR to create a roster spot and earn some cap relief ahead of the 2017 trade deadline.

Crouse is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and is not in Calgary with the team. Crouse will not play Tuesday either, but will be evaluated over the next few days and could join the team in Los Angeles on Thursday. Crouse will be replaced by Josh Jooris in the lineup tonight.

Bortuzzo has appeared in the last eight games, but will be scratched for Carl Gunnarsson tonight. Bortuzzo has just one goal and two assists in 19 games this season.

Bjugstad has missed the last nine games with a groin injury, but will return to centre the Panthers’ fourth line on Thursday. Bjugstad has had a tough season, posting just two points (1G / 1A) in 21 games so far. His production has fallen off immensely since his breakout 2014-15 campaign.