Allen was sidelined with back spasms during the start of training camp, but has been cleared for game action on Tuesday. This is great news for the Blues, who kick-off the regular season next Thursday (Oct. 4th). Allen had one of his worst seasons in 2017-18, going 27-25-3 with a 2.75 GAA, .906 SV% and one shutout. He had a negative (-10.34) goals saved above average for the first time since 2015.
Suzuki was the prized prospect that the Canadiens received in the Max Pacioretty trade but was unable to crack the opening night roster. The 2017 No.13 overall pick returns to Owen Sound, where he has scored 87 goals with 109 assists (196 points) in 129 games over the last two seasons.
Theodore saw some time in the AHL last year, but quickly showed he belonged in the NHL, scoring five goals and six assists (11 points) in just eight games with the Chicago Wolves. With the Golden Knights he registered 29 points (6G / 23A) in 61 games and is a front-runner to lead the Vegas blueline in ice-time this season. Theodore may have to battle with Colin Miller for top power-play time, but he is a candidate for a 10-goal, 30-assist season on a strong Vegas squad.
Ferland was acquired along with Dougie Hamilton from the Flames this offseason and will look to build off of a career-best 41 points (21G / 20A) in 2018. Ferland will be held off of the ice for “a few days” according to Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour, so it doesn’t sound like he’s in any danger of missing the start of the season.
Byron has enjoyed the best seasons of his career during his last two years in Montreal. The 29-year-old winger has registered back-to-back 20 goals seasons while averaging 39 points during that span. Byron is a versatile forward, who is capable of playing up and down the Canadiens’ lineup.
Reinhart set new career-highs in goals (25) and points (50) during the 2017-18 season. The former No.2 overall pick (2014) is expected to land a top-6 role and players with either Jack Eichel or Casey Mittelstadt in a new-look Sabres’ lineup. Reinhart has 60-point upside as he enters his fourth full season.
Wood just wrapped up his first full NHL season with 19 goals and 13 assists (32 points) in 76 games. The 2013 fourth-round pick will be hard pressed to land a top-6 role in New Jersey but is a serviceable bottom-6 winger who brings some toughness to the Devils’ lineup.
Green could miss the start of the regular season due to a virus that was attacking his liver. The Red Wings sent Green to see some specialists after he complained about fatigue during training camp. GM Ken Holland told reporters that he is “on the backside” of the infection. His likely absence to begin the season means that two of Dennis Cholowski, Libor Sulak, Filip Hronek and Joe Hicketts will make the opening night roster.
The Coyotes have not had any updates on Dvorak’s status, other than they had “some encouraging stuff but ti’s still a process.” With Dvorak not skating and Alex Galchenyuk out with a lower-body, the Coyotes are without two of their top-3 centres. If Dvorak misses the start of the season, Clayton Keller could move to centre for the time being.
Strome who was dealing with an upper-body injury practiced on Sunday and returned to the Coyotes lineup on Monday. This is good news for the Coyotes, who were missing three of their top-4 centres over the weekend with Strome, Alex Galchenyuk and Christian Dvorak all on the mend. The 21-year-old had 53 points (22G / 31A) in 50 AHL games last season and could take on a bigger role to start the season if Galchenyuk is forced to miss any time.
Galchenyuk, who was acquired from the Canadiens this summer, suffered a lower-body injury during last Tuesday’s preseason game. With their No.2 centre out right now, Clayton Keller shifted to the middle while they wait for Galchenyuk to return. Both Christian Dvorak and Dylan Strome could take on larger roles too if Galchenyuk misses the start of the campaign.
Eriksson suffered a bone bruise while blocking a shot in last Tuesday’s preseason opener against the Oilers. The Canucks originally labeled Eriksson as “week-to-week,” but the Swedish winger was back on the ice for Monday’s morning skate. The veteran should be ready for the start of the 2019 regular season.
The good news is that Fabbri’s lower-body injury is not related to his knee that cost him all of last season. Blues head coach Mike Yeo said that there is “no plan” for Fabbri right now, but he will take a couple of days off and see where he is at after that. There is still a chance that Fabbri is ready for the start of the regular season on October 4th.
Dobson was picked No.12 overall in this summer’s draft but was always expected to head back to Juniors this year. The 18-year-old defenseman will try to build off of his 69-point (17G / 52A) sophomore season with Acadie-Bathurst.
Dal Colle was selected fifth overall in 2014 but has struggled to get things going during his pro career. The 22-year-old had 80 points (35G / 45A) in his final OHL season, but has just 22 goals and 43 assists (65 points) in 138 career AHL games since turning pro.
The other Sebastian Aho had four points (1G /3A) in 22 games with the Islanders last season but will start this year in the AHL. Aho was beat out by Devon Toews during training camp but will likely be their first D call-up when needed.
Bellows was the No.19 overall pick in 2016 and enjoyed a solid preseason, but will start the season with Bridgeport. Bellows enjoyed a great year in Portland (WHL) last year, collecting 74 points (41G / 33A) in 56 games. Bellows and/or Josh Ho-Sang will likely be the first forwards called-up from the AHL.
Ho-Sang, 22, was expected to crack the Islanders’ rebuilding roster to start the season, but will once again start the year in Bridgeport (AHL). The 2014 first-round pick (No.28 overall) had 31 points (8G / 23A) in 50 AHL games a season ago and has complied 22 points (6G / 16A) in 43 career NHL games. He will likely be one of the first forward call-ups for the Islanders this season.
Schneider continues to workout on-ice nearly every day as he works his from May hip surgery. The Devils are easing their workhorse netminder back into action but there is no firm timetable for when he can start a game. If Schneider is out to start the season, they will turn to Keith Kinkaid until he is ready.
Green has been dealing with fatigue, so he will visit a specialist to figure out what he’s dealing with. The Red Wings are expected to know more in a few days, but don’t expect to see Green on their blueline on opening night. This is huge blow to an already terrible Detroit D-corps.
