Utah Hockey Club News

O’Brien played just 6:08 TOI in his season debut on Monday, but it looks like T.J. Oshie is ready to play on Wednesday, so O’Brien returns to Hershey.

O’Brien, 22, appeared in 13 games with the Capitals last season, but he is set to make his season debut on Monday. O’Brien has five goals and 13 assists (18 points) in 28 games with Hershey this season and comes to the Capitals with one goal and one assist in his NHL career. T.J. Oshie is doubtful to play tonight, which is why O’Brien was recalled.

Bjugstad suffered a lower-body injury early in last night’s game vs. the Predators. Bjugstad will miss at least one week after being placed on IR this morning. Expect Shawn Thornton to get back into the Panthers’ lineup with Bjugstad out.

Bjugstad played just 4:18 TOI before retiring to the dressing room last night. Panthers’ head coach Tom Rowe did not have an update on Bjugstad after the game, so considering him questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Bruins. This would be a big loss for a team already without their top centre Aleksander Barkov.

Maatta missed the last two games with an illness, but is set to return to the lineup tomorrow vs. the Canadiens. Once heralded as one of the next great young defenseman, Maatta has struggled to produce offensively, picking up just two assists in 35 games this season.

Bortuzzo has appeared in 64 games with the Blues over the last three seasons, collecting just four goals and three assists. Bortuzzo has never been known for his offensive production, picking just 27 points (8G / 19A) in 177 career NHL games.

Maatta did not travel to New Jersey for Tuesday's game and will also miss tonight's game at home vs. the Hurricanes. The Penguins will get Trevor Daley back to replace Brian Dumoulin, who broke his jaw last night. Maatta is considered day-to-day.

The Penguins have a quick one-game trip to New Jersey tonight and left Olli Maatta back in Pittsburgh because he is dealing with an illness. With Maatta out, Chad Ruhwedel will draw into the Penguins lineup vs. the Devils.

Bortuzzo was hurt in Saturday’s game vs. the Jets and has been moved to IR to create a roster spot to activate Joel Edmundson to take his spot in the lineup on Tuesday.

Schmaltz has four points (1G / 3A) in 26 games with the Blackhawks this season and has not made the offensive impact the Blackhawks were expecting when he made the opening night roster. His return to the AHL suggests that Jonathan Toews could be ready to play, but that seems unlikely. It’s more likely that Jordin Tootoo will simply re-enter the lineup after sitting as a healthy scratch.

Bjugstad missed the first 19 games of the season with a broken hand, but will make his season debut Tuesday. There was no word on where Bjugstad would fit into the lineup, but expect a full update during Tuesday’s morning skate. The Panthers went 10-8-1 without Bjugstad, but his return will help immensely. He had 34 points (15G / 19A) in 67 games a season ago.

Crouse took part in the Coyotes’ morning skate but remains a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Sharks. Crouse has just one goal in 13 games this season.

Bjugstad’s season debut continues to be pushed back as it looks like he won’t be able to return until Saturday at the earliest. Bjugstad’s return adds a ton of depth to the Panthers’ lineup. Monitor his status leading into the weekend.

Bjugstad was expected to return this week, but head coach Gerard Gallant said that he will likely miss seven more days. Continue to monitor Bjugstad’s status as the week progresses, but don’t expect him to make his season debut until next Tuesday at the earliest.

Bjugstad has missed the first 10 games of the season with a broken hand and will miss at least two more games. Head coach Gerard Gallant said Bjugstad is getting close and should return to the lineup next week.

Sergachev was the ninth overall pick this past summer and he made the team out of training camp. He was a healthy scratch most of the time and failed to record a point in the three games he did play in. Sergachev returns to Windsor, who will host this year’s Memorial Cup—he had 57 points (17G / 40A) in 67 games with the Spitfires last year.

Bortuzzo was injured early in the third period of Thursday’s shootout loss to the Red Wings. Bortuzzo will miss 10 days, but Bortuzzo was in an out of the lineup anyways, so this isn’t a big loss for St. Louis.

Connauton missed the Coyotes’ season opener with a lower-body injury, but will replace rookie Jakob Chychrun in the lineup on Tuesday. Connauton had 17 points (5G / 12A) in 65 games a season ago.

Sergachev made his NHL debut on Thursday, blocking two shots in 11:48 of ice time. With Jeff Petry (knee) expected to return to the lineup on Saturday, it looks like it will be the rookie Sergachev who will sit. If he can’t work his way back into the lineup, look for the Canadiens to send him back to the Windsor Spitfires (OHL).

Bortuzzo picked up just one shot on goal in 13:17 TOI in the Blues season opener on Wednesday. St. Louis is back in action tonight vs. the Wild, but Bortuzzo will sit and Carl Gunnarsson will replace him.