NHL Hockey Player News

Ryan missed the end of training camp and the first game of the season but will draw into the lineup Saturday vs. the Hurricanes. He is expected to skate on the second line and serve as the net-front presence on the power-play.

Barabanov dressed in the first two games of the season, failing to pick up a point while averaging just 4:54 TOI/gm. On Saturday he will be replaced by Nick Robertson.

Robertson sat out of the first two games of the season but will replace Alexander Barabanov on Saturday. Robertson had one goal in four playoff games last year after posting 86 points (55G / 31A) in 46 OHL games.

Wolanin was held off of the scoresheet while playing 16:34 TOI in the season debut on Friday but will be replaced by Mike Reilly on Saturday.

Reilly sat out of the season opener on Friday but will replace Christian Wolanin on Saturday. Reilly, who had one goal and 11 assists last year, will most likely quarterback the second power-play unit.

Kellman had one shot and a minus-1 rating in 12:07 TOI in the season opener but will be replaced by Stefan Noesen in the lineup on Saturday.

Noesen was a healthy scratch in the season opener but will replace Joel Kellman in the lineup on Saturday afternoon. Noesen, who had eight points (6G / 2A) in 34 games for the Sharks a season ago, will skate on the fourth line with Patrick Marleau and Marcus Sorenson.

Meloche played just 5:43 TOI in the season opener, which was his NHL debut. The 23-year-old defenseman will be replaced by Jacob Middleton on Saturday afternoon.

Middleton sat out of the season opener but will make his season debut in the rematch on Saturday afternoon. Middleton, who had two assists in 10 games last year, will replace Nicolas Meloche and skate with Nikolai Knyzhov on the third pair.

Couturier was forced to leave Friday's game with a mid-body injury and did not return. An MRI on Saturday revealed a Costochondral separation, which sounds horribly painful (Google it). Missing two weeks will cost Couturier at least the next seven games. While this is a brutal blow for the Flyers they have some of the best centre depth in the NHL and are built to withstand this loss.

Raanta has fallen behind Darcy Kuemper in recent years but he's still expected to see his fair share of starts in 2021. Raanta, who had a 2.63 GAA and .921 SV% last year, is one of the best No.2 netminders in the NHL. The 31-year-old was excellent on home ice last year, going 10-5-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .933 SV% in Arizona.

Jones allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Sharks win in Arizona on Thursday. It was a very strong start to the season for Jones, who struggled to a to a 3.00 GAA and .896 SV% last season. Even though they brought in Devan Dubnyk in the offseason, Jones will start the first two games of the season and will be looking for a repeat performance in the rematch vs. Arizona.

Byram was the No.4 overall pick in 2019 and is coming off of a terrific showing as a member of Team Canada at the World Juniors. The 19-year-old defenseman had 52 points (14G / 38A) in 50 AHL games a season ago and could make his NHL debut at some point during the 2021 season.

This will be Nygard's first game since January 29th, 2020 and he will replace Jujhar Khaira on the fourth line. The Swedish winger had three goals and six assists (nine points) in 33 games a season ago.

After playing in the first two games of the season, Joakim Nygard will replace Khaira Saturday vs. the Canadiens.

With Jordan Staal out because of COVID-19 protocol, Geekie will draw into the lineup on Saturday. It’s unclear how the Hurricanes’ lines will shake out but Vincent Trocheck figures to move up to the second line with Geekie handling a bottom-6 role.

Schneider will remain on the Islanders' active roster and serve as their No.3 netminder behind Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin. Last year he was 3-6-2 with a 3.53 GAA and .887 SV% in 13 games with the Devils.