Saad was back on the ice for Saturday's morning skate but will not Saturday. The plan is to get Saad ready for Wednesday's game vs. the Kings. With Saad still out, James Neal will remain in the Blues' top-6.
Veleno has scored three goals in five games with Grand Rapids this season. The 21-year-old centre could make his season debut on Saturday because Tyler Bertuzzi is ineligible to travel to Toronto. Celeno has one goal in five career NHL games.
Because he has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, Bertuzzi is not eligible to travel to Canada for Saturday's game in Toronto or Tuesday's game in Montreal. Joe Veleno has been recalled from the AHL and could replace Bertuzzi.
Carter has missed the last three games but will play Saturday vs. the Devils. With Sidney Crosby also returning to the lineup, Carter will be the second-line centre.
The Penguins listed Crosby as a game-time decision on Friday but announced he will play on Saturday morning. Crosby will centre the top line with Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues.
Blackwood was on the ice on Friday and told reporters that he isn't ready to play Saturday but thinks he'll be ready within the week. Blackwood should immediately take over as the Devils' No.1 netminder.
Petan has scored two goals in two games to start the AHL season and was summoned to Vancouver on Friday after Matthew Highmore was moved to IR. Petan skated as an extra in yesterday's practice session so don't expect to see him in the lineup on Saturday.
Highmore was hurt midway through Thursday's game vs. the Flyers and did not return. Being moved to IR means that Highmore will miss at least one week and it created room for the Canucks to recall Nic Petan from the AHL.
Wheeler has missed the last five games while in COVID-19 protocol but was back on the ice on Friday and is expected to play in San Jose on Saturday. Wheeler, who has one assist in two games, was on the third line with Adam Lowry in Friday's practice session.
Carter missed the last three games while he was in COVID-19 protocol but could return to the lineup on Saturday. Carter was on the second line and top power-play unit in Friday's practice, both good signs that he'll return to the lineup vs. the Devils. Carter has had a nice start to the season, scoring one goal with three assists (four points) in four games.
Crosby has missed the first seven games of the season but has been skating regularly for the last two weeks. In Friday's practice, he skated on the top line with Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues and was on the top power-play unit, both good signs that he'll play Saturday. Crosby had 62 points (24G / 38A) in 55 games a season ago.
