Utah Hockey Club News

Bjugstad missed the entire month of December because of migraines, but has been practicing and his activation from IR today suggests that he will play for the first time since November 29th. Bjugsad has 12 points (7G / 5A) in 23 games this season.

Bjugstad has missed the last eight games with what was an undisclosed injury, but on Tuesday the Panthers announced that he is dealing with migraines. Bjugstad is undergoing a battery of tests to determine what the cause of the migraines is.

Bjugstad still is not practice and will miss his fifth straight game with an upper-body injury on Tuesday. His lack of practice suggests that he will not be back this week.

Agozzino had one shot on goal while averaging 9:23 TOI in two games with the Avalanche. He was a healthy scratch on Tuesday with John Mitchell back in the lineup, so he will head back to San Antonio.

Maatta is nearly two weeks into a 3-4 week timetable and his return to practice already suggests that he could return at the front-end of that timeline. Maatta will need to get a couple of practices under his belt before he gets back into the lineup.

Agozzino will move onto the Avs’ fourth line for Saturday’s game vs. the Jets. The 24-year-old has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 13 games with San Antonio (AHL) this season.

Bortuzzo served as a healthy scratch on Saturday, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Joel Edmundson will come out of the lineup to make room for Bortuzzo.

Maatta was hit from behind into the bench door in Tuesday’s win over the Islanders. He was hospitalized for nearly 24 hours and is now expected to miss 3-4 weeks with an upper-body injury. The Penguins were originally worried about organ damage, so 3-4 weeks isn’t too bad all things considered. Expect the Penguins to recall a blueliner on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Maatta spent the night in the hospital and will remain in the hospital on Wednesday and undergo further evaluation. The Penguins were originally concerned about internal organ damage, but that doesn’t appear to be as big of a concern at this point.

Maatta was hit into the open bench door in Tuesday’s win vs. Minnesota. Matt was down on the ice for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room. Matt was held overnight at a nearby hospital for evaluation and an update on his status is expected to come on Wednesday.

Maatta was sent down as a paper move to maximize the Penguins cap flexibility but it was always the plan to recall him and have him play in their season opener tonight in Dallas.